§ 1. Mr. Bullasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that boys in the bakery department of the Birmingham Co-operative Society have to sign an undertaking that they would leave at 18 years of age; and whether he will take steps to discourage, as far as possible, the absorption of young persons into such blind-alley occupations?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)I understand that boys entering the service of the Birmingham Co-operative Society as bread deliverers' assistants are required to sign a statement acknowledging that they have been informed that employment in this capacity will not be continued after the age of 17, and that they understand that it will be in their own interest to look for other employment after the age of 15 years and 9 months. I am fully alive to the difficulty of the problem presented by blind-alley employment. Boys and girls are advised, wherever possible, to take up employment affording continuous prospects. Where, however, employment offered is blind-alley it is better that the offer should be accompanied by a definite warning from the employer.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as a matter of 1222 fact, of the large numbers employed by the Birmingham Co-operative Society, no one has been turned off on account of age within the last three years?
§ Mr. BrownI am not aware of that, but I am aware that this will commend itself to many industries where settled employment is not possible.