§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the growing demand for child labour early in the morning and after school hours, more especially in the poorer districts of London; is he aware that this increased demand is largely due to the National Insurance Act; and will he consider the advisability of introducing legislation to secure that school-going children be not worked unduly outside of school hours?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not aware of any such increase in the employment of child labour through the operation of the Insurance Act. Under the Employment of Children Act, 1903, local authorities already have wide powers of restricting the employment of school children out of school hours. The London County Council have under these powers issued stringent by-laws and would doubtless be glad to be informed of any cases of infringement of which the hon. Member may be aware.