§ 1. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will seek to amend the parts of the Factories Acts and other legislation which restricts the work experience of schoolchildren; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (Mr. E. Fernyhough)The law on the employment of children and young persons concerns a number of Departments, which are considering the legal and safety problems relating to work experience schemes. Any contemplated amendment of the Factories Act would first have to be discussed with employers' and workers' organisations.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes my hon. Friend accept that knowledge of the industrial scene is an integral part of the education of children in their latter years at school and that this will become even more important if the school leaving age is raised? Will he put the same pressure on the C.B.I. and T.U.C. in this matter as is being done in other directions, for example, in connection with trade union legislation?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI am not unsympathetic to that suggestion, which is, after all, virtually a recommendation of the Newsom Report. My hon. Friend will agree that in a matter of this kind it is vital than we should carry with us both sides of industry. We will be conducting 630 negotiations with them and I hope that, when they are concluded, my hon. Friend will not be disappointed.