§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy that a survey be conducted of the extent to which children are missing their education through working in paid employment during school hours or through tiredness due to hours worked outwith school hours; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 23 February 1990]: Children in employment are protected by the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937, which defines the lowest age (13) at which a child may be employed, precludes employment during school hours and limits the hours and times of day a child may work. In addition, education authorities are empowered to make byelaws imposing further restraints. The existing safeguards, if properly applied, are sufficient to prevent problems of school absence or tiredness and I do not think a survey would be helpful.