21. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recent Ordinance concerned with the employment of women and children incorporates the Conventions of the International Labour Office; and whether steps will be taken to extend the limits of employment of children under 14 years of age beyond industrial occupations?
§ Mr. George HallI understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the Tanganyika Employment of Women and Young Persons Ordinance, 1940, which was enacted last March. The Ordinance gives effect to the main provisions of six of the International Labour Conventions regulating the employment of women in industry and the employment of young persons and children in industry and at sea, which have been ratified by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Governor considers that it would be neither practicable nor desirable to prohibit entirely the employment of children below a certain minimum age in other occupations in the territory, and he is satisfied that the further safeguards provided in the Ordinance will amply ensure that children are not employed in occupations unsuitable to their age. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Ordinance.
Mr. Creech JonesWill my hon. Friend give his special attention to the position of children under 14 years of age who are employed on plantations away from their homes?
§ Mr. HallThe Ordinance which has recently been adopted was based on the Convention, but all questions dealing with children under 14 years of age are constantly receiving the attention of the Colonial Office.