HC Deb 15 February 1934 vol 285 cc2074-5
11. Mr. MANDER

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the improvement in the industrial situation, he will now, in accordance with promises made, introduce a measure relating to the hours and conditions of the employment of juveniles?

Mr. HACKING

A Bill is to be introduced almost immediately to restrict the hours of employment of young persons and to deal with other conditions in the distributive trades. This measure will apply to a very large number of young persons whose hours at present are either not regulated at all or subject to the antiquated limit of 74 hours inclusive of meal times contained in the Shops Act of 1912. The Bill, if passed, will make a very big advance in the direction indicated by the hon. Member. Whether it will be possible in the near future to go still further on these lines is a matter which will receive the sympathetic consideration of the Government.

Mr. MANDER

Can my right hon. Friend say whether van boys are included in the Bill; and, in any case, was not a definite undertaking given by the Government that a Measure dealing with all these juveniles would be brought in when the industrial situation improved, and has it not improved?

Mr. HACKING

We are very glad to receive that testimonial from the hon. Member, and I hope that he will go further and give credit for that improvement where credit is obviously due.

Mr. MANDER

Will my right hon. Friend, on his side, be good enough to answer my question?

Mr. HACKING

I have answered part of the question, and I will proceed to answer the other part. The hon. Member must await the introduction of the Bill.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Bill embodies in part or in whole the recommendations of the committee on shops?

Mr. HACKING

It is impossible for me to say now what is in the Bill. I have said that it will be introduced at a very early date, and perhaps the hon. Member will wait until it is introduced.

Mrs. RUNGE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was more than a promise that was given; it was a pledge, and does he not consider that it is time that pledge was redeemed?

Mr. HACKING

I can only repeat that it will be as well to await the introduction of the Bill, and then any criticisms made will be met by the Government.