Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Chief Secretary (1) whether his attention has been called to the conditions of employment of young children in certain parts of Ulster as shown by the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland, what steps he is taking to secure the enforcement of the Employment of Children Act by the local authorities; and (2) whether his attention has been called to evidence given before the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland, stating that in Belfast children, from three years old in some cases, are engaged in home-work at night and in the early hours of the morning; and whether any action is being taken by the local authority to investigate and check this evil?
§ Mr. PONSONBYasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the constant infringement of the provisions of the Employment of Children Act, which is disclosed by the evidence given before the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland; and what steps he intends to take in order to prevent young children being made to work for very long hours and till 10 or 11 at night, as at Lurgan and in other districts round Belfast?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy attention has been called to the Report and evidence given before this Committee. The matter is under consideration, and the Irish Government is in correspondence with the Home Office as to what steps should be taken to secure the better enforcement of the Act referred to.