§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of children under the age of 13 who are in employment; if he will request reports from local education authorities on this matter; what consideration he is giving to strengthening the existing legislation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganEnforcement of the law on this subject is a matter for local education authorities, and no figures are available nationally of the number of children under the age of 13 who take employment.
My right hon. Friend is, however, planning to sponsor a small research project which will provide information about various aspects of the employment of school-children in a sample of areas. He has already informed local education authorities that he proposes before the school leaving age is raised, to review the model byelaws on the employment of children.
My right hon. Friend will shortly be seeking the views of representatives of the authorities, and other interested bodies, both about the need for changes in the current model byelaws and about the general efficacy of the present legal provisions on this subject.