§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Home Secretary (1) whether it is his intention to permit the illegal full-time employment of children of twelve years of age in cotton mills; and, if not, whether he will make some public pronouncement in order to remove the anomaly which exists in the difference of practice between law-abiding firms and their less scrupulous competitors; and (2) whethe his attention has been called to the illegal employment of children of twelve years of age for full time in cotton mills; whether any proceedings have been instituted against any firms or firms who have thus illegally employed children; and whether any warning has been issued to employers that legal proceedings will be instituted in future if children who do not possess the necessary qualifications are employed full time?
§ Mr. BRACEIt has come to the notice of the Factory Department that in a few cases children of twelve have been employed full time for short periods during the recent school holidays. Such employment is, of course, illegal, but it was not thought necessary, in the circumstances, to take proceedings on this occasion. Cautions have, however, been sent, and the necessary steps will be taken to enforce the law.