§ 8. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to restrict the hours of labour for boys between the ages of 14 years and 18 years, so that they can take advantage of the schemes of National Youth Service?
§ Mr. BevinI am desirous of assisting the National Youth Service scheme in every possible way, but in present circumstances I should not be justified in doing so by reducing the hours of work below those which are legally permissible and are reasonably practicable in the particular establishment.
§ Mr. LindsayIs my right hon. Friend aware that of six boys whom I interviewed last night under the National Registration Scheme one was working 77 hours a week, one 68 and one 66½—that is, 50 per cent. of the boys whom I actually saw; and while I admit that not one of them objected to helping the national effort in this way, is it the policy of the Department to agree to such hours?
§ Mr. BevinNot to such hours as those. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars, I will go into the case. I cannot, of course, be aware of what happened in the case of the boys he interviewed last night.