HC Deb 29 May 1935 vol 302 cc1136-7
62. Mr. DENMAN

asked the Home Secretary what information he can give as to the extent to which the maximum weekly hours, apart from overtime, permitted by the Factory Acts for the employment of young persons are in fact worked?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have no precise information on the point, but reports on working hours generally would indicate that as a rule the legal maximum is only worked by young persons on occasions or in periods of exceptional pressure.

Mr. DENMAN

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman does not recognise that a.60hour week for a young person i3 a wholly obsolete idea, and will he not continue the excellent work he has already done by reducing the maximum to 48 hours?

Viscountess ASTOR

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that as we have left out 300,000 juveniles un regulated and cannot do anything for them we should at least protect those who are included?