23. Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the present difficulty in recruiting juvenile labour for cotton mills and that Employment Exchanges at the present time are chary of placing young persons in employment in the industry; and whether, in view of the decision of the Government to introduce legislation at an early date for improving conditions in the trade, he will instruct the Employment Exchanges accordingly?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am aware that there is some difficulty in recruiting juvenile labour for the cotton mills. It is the duty of juvenile employment officers to give full information to juveniles about vacancies in local industries, including cotton, but they cannot compel acceptance of any particular vacancies. Any changes in the conditions in the cotton industry will become known to juvenile officers when vacancies are notified, and will be conveyed to suitable applicants.