§ Mr. Messerasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the resolutions which have been sent to him urging the granting of provisional medical certificates only for the employment of juveniles under 15 years of age after 1st September, 1939; and whether he will make a statement?
§ Mr. PeakeMy right hon. Friend has received one such resolution, but the pro- 653W visions on this subject in Section 99 of the Factories Act only authorise the issue of provisional certificates in cases where, after examining the young person, the surgeon requires further information or further time for consideration before deciding whether to issue a certificate of fitness or as to the conditions to be attached to it. It would, therefore, be inconsistent with the statutory provisions to lay down any general rule that this procedure is to be followed in the case of all young persons below a certain age.