HC Deb 25 January 1940 vol 356 cc776-7
61. Mr. G. White

asked the Home Secretary to what extent he has authorised relaxation of hours of employment for young persons under the Factory Acts since the outbreak of war; and whether he can state the permitted increase of hours and the number affected?

Sir J. Anderson

I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on Thursday last. As stated in that reply a special report is being prepared which I hope to issue in the early part of next month.

71. Mr. Mander

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inequality existing in South Staffordshire owing to the action of such education authorities as Wolverhampton, Bilston, Wednesbury and Walsall, in granting facilities to newsagents for the employment of schoolchildren in the morning for one hour, whereas in Willenhall and Wednesfield and the county of Staffordshire generally no such permission is granted; and whether he will take steps to secure such uniform treatment as will be in the best interests of the children?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir; I am aware that in Staffordshire, as in other parts of the country, children are allowed to be employed for an hour before school in some areas and not in others. Parliament having given a discretion in this matter to local authorities I should not be justified in interfering with its exercise in any particular case where I am satisfied that before submitting a by-law the local authority concerned has taken all the local circumstances into consideration.

Mr. Mander

In view of the fact that these industrial areas are very closely inter-related, will not the Home Secretary use his good offices to try and persuade the authorities to adopt some general rule of standard?

Sir J. Anderson

I do not think it is possible for me to do that when Parliament has deliberately given the discretion to the local authorities.

Viscountess Astor

Since Parliament is beginning to understand a little more about the condition of children, and other things, and every one knows it is a bad thing for children to work before going to school, cannot the Home Office make some special provision during the war to promote the best interest of the children?

Mr. Jagger

Will the Minister consider very seriously, when introducing fresh legislation of this kind, taking away this sort of invidious defect?

Sir J. Anderson

I do not think that that arises at the moment.