§ 81. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that local education authorities, having abolished homework for school children up to 12 years of age, allow the same children immediately after reaching that age to be employed for wages out of school hours in addition to the imposition of homework; and whether he will take steps to remove this anomaly and abolish all employment out of school hours?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)Very many local education authorities are believed to be following the recommendations made in the Board's recent pamphlet that no homework should be set to children under 12 years of age. In the case of older children attending public elementary schools, my Noble Friend understands that, except in selective central schools where children are preparing for examinations and are not
§ employed out of school hours, there is little homework set and that is voluntary. As regards the latter part of the question the employment of school children is regulated by the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, and my Noble Friend is advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs that legislation would be required to carry out the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. DaviesIs the hon. Member aware that this very objectionable practice of employing children out of school hours is on the increase in several parts of the country?
§ Mr. LindsayI am not aware of that.
§ Mr. DaviesI can give the hon. Gentleman the information.