HC Deb 30 March 1944 vol 398 cc1533-4
14. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has taken any action to improve the conditions under which children of school age may be employed in agricultural work.

Mr. H. Morrison

For the last two years the employment of school children in agriculture has been governed by a Defence Regulation made in April, 1942. The working of this Regulation has been carefully watched and on the whole it can be said that it has worked well. Corn-plaints have, however, been made that in certain areas children have been employed in sugar beet lifting, and that this is unsuitable work for them. Children have also been employed by gang masters under conditions of work inferior to those generally found where the children are employed by the farmers direct. A further Regulation has therefore now been made prohibiting the employment of children in sugar beet lifting or other agricultural work involving heavy strain, and debarring gang masters from employing children of school age. A circular is being issued to local education authorities informing them of the new Regulation.

Mr. Lindsay

While being grateful for this genuine reform, may I ask whether he will also keep an eye, in conjunction with the local education authorities, on the hours that are worked?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Bowles

Does that new Regulation apply to children who are alleged to be mentally deficient and who are employed on farms for no pay at all, while their parents have to pay for their upkeep?

Mr. Morrison

This Regulation does not deal with that matter at all.