§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will carry out a study into the part-time employment of schoolchildren under 16 years of age with the aim of preventing their 407W exploitation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim LesterMy right hon. Friend is not convinced that a study of the wages paid to schoolchildren under 16 years of age in part-time employment is warranted at present. Questions about hours or other conditions of employment of school children under 16 years of age should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to oblige employers of schoolchildren to give details of their employment to local offices of his Department.
Mr. Jim LesferThe hon. Member asked this question of the previous Administration last year, and my reply is the same as that given by the Undersecretary of State for Employment on 2 August. My Department is not responsible for matters relating to the employment of schoolchildren aged under 16. The Employment of Children Act 1973 enables the Secretary of State for Social Services to make regulations governing the employment of schoolchildren but no such regulations have yet been made. In the meantime, local authority byelaws on the employment of schoolchildren continue to operate.