HC Deb 05 February 1998 vol 305 cc742-5W
Mr. Pond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences relating to the employment of children were recorded for each year since 1990; and what were the average penalties imposed for each type of offence. [27119]

Mr. Michael

Offences relating to the employment of children are summary offences and do not form part of the notifiable offences series (recorded crime).

The table shows the number of persons cautioned and defendants prosecuted for offences relating to the employment of children by type of sentence given from 1990 to 1996.

Persons cautioned and defendants prosecuted and found guilty at magistrates' courts for offences relating to the employment of children by type of offence and result, 1990–1996
England and Wales
Offence description/ Year Total cautioned Total proceeded against Total found guilty Total sentenced
Offences in connection with employment of children and young persons [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S18 to 21 (S18 as amended by the Children Act 1972)]
1990 5 25 21 21
1991 3 15 12 12
1992 3 12 9 9
1993 1 5 4 4
1994 1 3 2 2
1995 1 3 3 3
1996 2 1
Causing or allowing children to take part in entertainments without licence [Children and Young Persons Act 1963, S40(1)(a)]
1990 1 1 1
1991 1 1 1
1996 1
Obstructing officer in the exercise of powers conferred under Part II of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993, S28
1990 4 2 2
1991 1 1 1 1
Similar provisions in Local Acts, but not offences against the Mines Acts, Factory Acts, &c.
1991 2 1 1
1992 1 1 1

Type of sentence given
Offence description/ Year Discharge Fine Average fine(£) Community penalties Fully suspended sentence Immediate custody Average sentence length
Causing a child or young person to be in any street, &c. for purpose of begging [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S4]
1990 1 3 43 1
1991 3 3 55
1992 5 14 36
1993 16 8 31 1
1994 8 3 43
1995 6 24 77 1
1996 5 23 43 1 7 days
Causing or allowing person under 18 to go abroad to perform for profit [Children and Young Persons Act 1933 S25 & 26]
1992 1 200
1994 1 1 50
1995 7 127
Offences against the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920, S1—so far as relates to industrial undertakings other than mines, factories and workshops
1990 1 1 100
Offences against the Education Act 1944, S58 to 60—including offences against byelaws as to employment of children (except offences relating to mines, factories or workshops)
1991 2 80
1993 1 50
1994 4 138
1995 1 200
Offences in connection with employment of children and young persons [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S18 to 21 (S18 as amended by the Children Act 1972)]
1990 3 18 74
1991 12 83
1992 9 67
1993 4 159
1994 2 150
1995 1 2 200
Causing or allowing children to take part in entertainments without licence [Children and Young Persons Act 1963, S40(1)(a)]
1990 1
1991 1
1996

Type of sentence given
Offence description/ Year Discharge Fine Average fine(£) Community penalties Fully suspended sentence Immediate custody Average sentence length
Obstructing officer in the exercise of powers conferred under Part II of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993, S28
1990 2 33
1991 1 30
Similar provisions in Local Acts, but not offences against the Mines Acts, Factory Acts, &c.
1991 1
1992 1 30

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