§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions have been made in each of the past five years against employers who employ children illegally; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisI understand that the number of defendants prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Education Act 1944 in the last five years was as shown in the table.
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England and Wales Offence Description/Legislation 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Offences against the Education Act 1944, [sections 58 to 60] including offences against byelaws as to employment of children [except offences relating to mines, factories or workshops] 4 — 2 — 2 Offences in connection with employment of children and young persons [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, sections 18 to 21 (Section 18 as amended by the Children Act 1972)] 23 25 15 12 5 Causing or allowing children to take part in entertainments without a licence [Children and Young Persons Act 1963, section 40(1)(all)] — 1 1 — — Other — — 2 — — Total 30 26 20 13 7 In addition, I understand that the number of informations laid under the Employment of Women, Young People and Children Act 1920, which prohibits the employment of children in industrial undertakings, was as set out in the table.
England and Wales Year of hearing2 Information laid 1989–901 9 1990–91 2 1991–92 6 1992–93 1 1993–943 8 Notes:
1Data prior to 1990–91 exclude proceedings taken by the quarries inspectorate.
2Years commencing 1 April
3Provisional
Source:
Health and Safety Executive