§ 44. Mr. Leslieasked the Home Secretary on what points the International Labour Convention of 1932, which lays down a minimum age for non-industrial employment, goes beyond the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, relating to the employment of school children in this country?
§ Sir S. HoareThe main points on which the Convention of 1932 goes beyond the provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, and the by-laws made thereunder regarding the employment of children, are the prohibition of all employment of school children except light work for children over 12, no employment even in such light work on Sundays or public holidays or before 8 a.m. on either school days or holidays, and the limitation of such employment during school holidays to two hours a day.
§ Mr. LeslieDid not the Government in November, 1934, state that they would after a period see how the 1933 Act worked and consider the question of ratification, and is not the time ripe to consider that question?
§ Sir S. HoareI understand that at that period inquiries were made from the local authorities. They then agreed with the line that was taken by the Government. I am now making further inquiries of the local authorities to see whether and, if so, how far, the position has changed since that time.