§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many women are undertaking paid employment in their homes; what regulations are applicable to them; by what measures they are enforced; and how many contraventions were reported in the most recent year;
148W(2) how many women undertake paid home sewing and other employment in their own homes; what regulations apply regarding conditions and rates of pay; and by what means they are enforced.
§ Mr. BryanNo statistics are available regarding the number of women undertaking paid employment in their homes.
Home-workers employed under contract of service in wages council industries are covered by the appropriate wages regulation orders. As part of their general enforcement duties, wages inspectors examine employers' records of payments made to home-workers and all complaints are investigated. Nine cases of underpayment of statutory minima were found during 1971 and arrears of wages of £372 were paid by the employers concerned.
No statutory minima are laid down for home-workers in trades or industries other than those covered by the Wages Councils Act, 1959.