§ 40. Mr. Palingasked the Home Secretary whether the Government have considered the report of the Departmental Committee on the hours of employment of young persons in certain unregulated occuptions; and what steps they propose to take?
§ Sir J. SimonYes, Sir. I have been giving careful consideration to this important report, and I am hopeful that it will be possible to deal in the Factories Bill with the hours of the young persons employed in connection with factories, docks and warehouses whose inclusion in the new factory code is recommended by the Committee. As regards the other classes of young persons in whose case the Committee suggested an extension of the Shops Act, 1934, it would be necessary to introduce separate legislation which could not be undertaken during the present Session.
§ Mr. PalingIs it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to endeavour to deal with this matter in view of the appalling conditions that exist in these unregulated occupations?
§ Sir J. SimonI think the hon. Member will feel it is well that we should take advantage of the Factories Bill, if we can, to introduce a new Clause which 1168 will deal with what is a very important part of the subject.
Viscountess AstorWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it was a definite pledge of the Government to bring in a Bill to deal with children in unregulated occupations?
§ Sir J. SimonI think the Noble Lady will see that we are doing rather better than our pledge, because we are taking advantage of legislation which has been introduced in order to deal with the subject.
§ Sir J. SimonPerhaps the Noble Lady did not note the first part of my original answer:
I have been giving careful consideration to this important report, and I am hopeful that it will be possible to deal in the Factories Bill with the hours of young persons employed in connection with factories, docks, and warehouses whose inclusion in the new factory code is recommended by the committee.