§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will conduct an immediate inquiry into the conditions and pay rates of women homeworkers; and if he will take steps to end the exploitation involved.
§ Mr. John GrantI am arranging for the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to undertake a study in two wages councils industries where there are substantial proportions of homeworkers.
I am also advised by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Commission is at present considering proposals to ensure the effective protection, under Part 1 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, of people working for gain in the home, against the risk of accident, or danger to health. The Commission's proposals will be submitted for consideration in due course. It would be premature to act before they have been studied.