§ 49. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will investigate the use of young people as unpaid street vendors and collectors for up to 16 hours a day by the various bodies associated with the Unification Church.
§ Mr. MoyleI do not at present think that an investigation is called for. Under street collection regulations already in force in most areas of England and Wales it is an offence to permit children under the age of 16 to collect money, or sell articles for charitable or other purposes except in the ordinary course of trade, in a street or public place. Moreover, the Children and Young Persons Acts 1933 and 1963 prohibit young people under the age of 17 from engaging in street trading, though this age limit may be raised to 18 by local authority byelaws. If my hon. Friend has evidence that the law is being broken he should make it known to the police or the appropriate local authority.