HC Deb 05 November 1970 vol 805 c1254
33. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute an inquiry into the employment of children with a view to ascertaining to what extent the law is being broken and whether legislation is required to strengthen the existing legislation and to provide more effective means of enforcement.

Mr. Carlisle

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Question on 29th October.—[Vol. 805, c. 185–6.]

Mr. Jenkins

Will the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again? Will he refer to the inspectors of the Greater London Council, who will tell him that more and more infringements of this law are occurring and that it is not worth while to take proceedings because purely derisory fines of 10s. or so are imposed?

Mr. Carlisle

As I said to the hon. Gentleman earlier, a research project is taking place into this matter, the object of which is to find the facts.