§ 19. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether he will exempt young persons from the provisions of the Essential Work Order so that they may have the opportunity of choosing the employment for which they may be best fitted as adults?
§ Mr. BevinNo, Sir, But I am issuing instructions to emphasise that in administering the Order due regard must be paid to the best interests of the juvenile.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the Minister give further consideration to this very human problem, because while it might be fair to compel adults to remain at their jobs, it is a little unfair to compel young persons from 14 to, say, 18 to remain in the same job all the time?
§ Mr. BevinI disagree with that. Under war-time conditions the problem of controlling juveniles is a very difficult one, and I think that the steps I am taking to deal with it are far more effective than letting them run loose.