HC Deb 12 December 1996 vol 287 cc325-6W
Mr. Ian McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his proposals to ensure that local authority byelaws are updated to protect working children against health and safety hazards in industrial and commercial premises. [8873]

Mr. Burns

Children are not permitted to be employed in industrial undertakings. Health and safety legislation, which is not contained in local authority byelaws, applies to all workers regardless of their age.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the maximum number of hours a child(a) under the age of 15 years and (b) aged 15 years will be legally permitted to work during school term time, following the implementation of the recommendation arising from his Department's recent consultation exercise. [8874]

Mr. Burns

The maximum permitted number of working hours for children will remain exactly as they are at present, that is 17 hours a week for those under the age of 15, and 20 hours a week for those aged 15 or over.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department last carried out a study to examine the effectiveness of local authority byelaws governing the employment of children, with particular reference to their implementation and enforcement; and if he will conduct a further study. [8794]

Mr. Burns

The last study in this area was reported in 1972. I have no plans at present to commission a further study.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in respect of implementing proposals to protect the health, safety and education of working children. [8796]

Mr. Burns

Officials have recently issued a paper outlining our plans to implement our proposals. Copies have been placed in the Library.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will liaise with the Department of the Environment to ensure that local authorities have adequate resources to enforce byelaws governing the employment of children. [8795]

Mr. Burns

It is for local authorities to determine their expenditure priorities.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many respondents to his Department's recent consultation exercise on the employment of children favoured(a) parliamentary legislation and (b) revision of local authority byelaws. [8797]

Mr. Burns

We did not seek views on the type of legislation to be used. Of the views expressed, the majority were in favour of the revision of byelaws.