§ 3. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue a circular to local education authorities regarding their responsibilities as to the law on the employment of children; whether he will take steps to require them to issue a leaflet to parents on the lines of the draft which has been sent to him; whether he is satisfied that the present machinery for enforcing the law is effective; and if he will make a statement.
§ 30. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the extent to which children under the age of 13 years are illegally engaged in gainful employment.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganI would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given on 26th January to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris). My right hon. Friend will await the outcome of the inquiries referred to in that reply before considering whether there is a need for further research or for guidance to local education authorities.—[Vol. 794, c 285.]
§ Mr. JenkinsI am grateful for that reply. In the course of these consultations which I understand are taking place. will my hon. Friend investigate, or cause to be investigated, the question of whether there is a growth in child employment and whether, if there is such a growth, this is having a disadvantageous effect on children's education, which may follow them throughout their lives?
§ Mr. MorganI can confirm that both those questions will be investigated.
§ Mr. CroninDepending on the outcome of the inquiries, should not my hon. Friend take steps to ensure that local authorities adopt a more stringent attitude when issuing permits and also to ensure that teachers have an opportunity to investigate and report on abuses?
§ Mr. MorganIt may be that my hon Friend is prejudging the issue. Enforcement of the law on this subject is for the local education authorities and it is not for the Home Office to lay down how they exercise that responsibility.