§ 30. Mr. J. HALLasked the Home Secretary the number of local authorities which have made by-laws under Section 18, Sub-section (2, a ii) of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, permitting children to be employed before school hours; the number of children so employed; what steps are taken to ensure that such children are not so employed for a period longer than one hour; and if periodical medical examination is insisted upon to ensure the maintenance of a proper standard of health?
§ Sir J. SIMON166 out of 317 local authorities have made by-laws under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, permitting the employment of children for not more than one hour before school commences: similar by-laws made by 50 authorities before the Act remain in force. I have no recent information of the number of children so employed. The duty of enforcing the by-laws rests with the local authorities who always require a medical certificate as a condition of employment. In some cases specific provision is made in the by-laws for periodical re-examination, and, in general, I feel sure that the authorities pay careful attention to the question of health.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman further consider this question of the employment of children before school hours, seeing that many people think it is a very bad thing for them?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am sure that my hon. Friend realises that children may be employed, for instance, in the delivery of papers.