Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will abolish, without waiting for the report of any inquiry, the penal clauses by which child labourers in Africa are liable to fine or imprisonment for the contravention of contracts of which they cannot have a full understanding, and in order that young African children, of no criminal intentions, may not find themselves in conflict with the law over such matters?
408W
Period. Average weekly numbers of payments of unemployment allowances during period. Total amounts of unemployment allowances paid during period. Men aged 18–64. Women aged 18–64. Juveniles aged 16–17. Men aged 18–64. Women aged 18–64. Juveniles aged 16–17. £ £ £ Year, 1936 (51 weeks) 4,781 240 — 296,597 8,287 — 1937. January-March (13 weeks) 4,304 234 — 70,151 2,108 — April-December* (39 weeks) 4,441 310 11 215,790 8,281 154 Five months ended May, 1938 (23 weeks). 4,454 345 26 127,454 5,212 201 * The figures for dates subsequent to March, 1937, are affected by the extension of the scope of the Unemployment Assistance Scheme as from 1st April, 1937 (the Second Appointed Day).
Mr. M. MacDonaldI think that it is clearly desirable for me to await the results of the inquiries which are being made before deciding what action should be taken, but I have no reason to suppose that the application of penal sanctions to children is other than of very rare occurrence.