HC Deb 16 May 1912 vol 38 cc1427-8W
Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the director of education for Bury has ascertained that there were recently at least thirty-five cases of children under eleven illegally employed as street traders in that town, and that it is not clear that the local authority is taking any steps to enforce the existing law in this matter; whether he will intimate to the local authority that unless this is done a substantial reduction will be made in the Home Office Grant towards the cost of the police; and whether he will ascertain through factory inspectors or otherwise the extent to which half-timers are illegally employed as street traders in Bury?

Mr. McKENNA

I am informed by the town clerk that as the result of inquiry made at the request of the Education Committee of the borough, it was ascertained that there were thirty-three children under eleven engaged in street trading, and two in the delivery of milk; and that the Committee now have the matter under consideration. I have asked the town clerk to let me know what steps are taken in the matter. As regards the employment of factory or workshop half-timers, I am informed that two were recently found employed in contravention of the provision in Section 3 (3) of the Employment of Children Act, but the employment was stopped, and there is now no employment of half-timers in the borough in contravention of that provision.