§ 63. Mr. Manderasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the penalty of 5s., imposed by the magistrates court at Filey recently, in the case of a prosecution by the Shops Act inspector for working a girl of 17 to the extent of 73¾ hours a week, excluding meals, instead of the legal limit of 48; and whether he will send a circular to magistrates calling their attention to the desirability of dealing severely with such offences?
§ Sir S. HoareMy attention had not previously been drawn to this case. The question what penalty it may be appropriate to impose for an offence is a matter for the discretion of the magistrates in the circumstances of each particular case. I may add that I am not aware of any general complaint of failure of magistrates to deal adequately with offences against the Shops Act, 1934, in relation to employment of young persons. I should be going outside my province if I were to attempt to issue any such circular to magistrates as the hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not obvious that in this case the penalty inflicted was totally inadequate for such a glaring offence?