§ Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ How many prosecutions there are annually for the illegal employment of children in the United Kingdom and, if it is illegal to employ schoolgirls as catwalk models, whose duty it is to prosecute the employer.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)My Lords, in 1995, 16 defendants were prosecuted for the illegal employment of children. It is not illegal to employ schoolgirls as catwalk models.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the number of children employed in this country is much greater than in many other European countries? Is she also aware that discussions are taking place about a European Union directive on the matter? I understand that our representatives are proposing that children shall be legally permitted to work five hours on a Sunday. Will the Minister intervene with a view to stopping our representatives putting forward any such proposal?
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy Lords, I am not aware that our children work more than children in other European countries. The noble Lord may well be right, but we would not want to see children exploited. On the other hand, the vast majority enjoy their paper rounds 2 and their Saturday morning jobs. It teaches them about rewards for hard work, value for money and the disciplines of getting up for work and being reliable. Furthermore, it gives them status in the eyes of their friends. Therefore, the issue must be kept in proportion.
There are strict regulations as to how often and how much children can work. I understand that consultation is taking place about an EC directive. However, we believe that our present law, with some very minor alterations, is a good safeguard for children at work.
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonMy Lords, we all agree with the Minister that it is right to keep issues such as paper rounds in proportion. However, is she concerned, as both I and my noble friend Lord Jenkins are concerned, about the difference between children doing casual work such as a paper round or a Saturday morning job in a shop and the types of employment which may well interfere with their schooling? Is she aware that there is considerable evidence of a growing demand for that kind of labour, which is more serious than the casual and often enjoyable part-time work?
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy Lords, yes, but local authorities, which make by-laws under the 1993 Act, can place further restrictions if they wish on the hours and conditions of work and on the nature of the employment that is permitted.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, is the Minister aware that with one or two exceptions such as Birmingham and others, local authorities are not implementing the present laws? Will the Government take whatever action is necessary to persuade and encourage them to do so and to provide any further resources so that they can implement the present legislation? It is largely not implemented and it is estimated that some 2 million children are working every day in defiance of the present legislation.
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy Lords, I believe that the figure of 2 million relates to employers who do not register with the local authority. However, under the 3 1993 Act, local authorities have such a duty and it is up to them to implement it and to find the necessary resources.