§ 50. Mr. Gallacherasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to guarantee a 40-hour week to young persons and the abolition of overtime for young persons under 18 years of age?
§ Sir S. HoareAs the hon. Member is aware, Parliament has, so recently as last Session, dealt with this matter in the 1109 new Factories Act. The suggestion in the question would go beyond the provisions of the Factories Act, and I do not think it is possible to reopen the question at present.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the problem of youth in industry is increasing all the time, and that with the inevitable slump that is coming something special will have to be done if the regulation is not made now?
§ Sir S. HoareI must not be taken as accepting the assumption of the hon. Member in the last part of his question. It is a fact that Parliament dealt with this matter by legislation only a few months ago, and it is premature for me or any other Minister to propose a change of legislation.
§ Mr. PalingIs it not a fact that a report was prepared and submitted to the Home Office some time ago respecting 125,000 children between 14 and 18 who did not come under the Factory Acts, and that the then Home Secretary promised that the matter would be considered?
§ Sir S. HoareThe hon. Member will, perhaps, recollect that I received a deputation only the other day from the Trades Union Congress on this subject. I informed them that I should like to see legislation as soon as possible. Whether there will be time in this Session or not I cannot say, but I hope there may be.