Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture. – in the House of Commons at on 18 March 1929.
Mr William Kelly
, Rochdale
asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the non-ratification of the International Convention of 1921 concerning the age of admission of children to employment in agriculture; and whether it is proposed to ratify the Convention?
Sir Henry Betterton
, Rushcliffe
I have been asked to reply. The reasons for the non-ratification of this Convention were given by the then Minister of Labour, Sir Montague Barlow, in the House of Commons on the 9th May, 1923, in a Debate, to which I would refer the hon. Member. The main reason was the power of the local education authorities in Scotland to grant exemption from school attendance to children under 14. The Convention is in accordance with the law in England and Wales, but to bring that of Scotland into conformity with it would necessitate legislation. The position now is substantially the same.
Mr William Kelly
, Rochdale
Is the matter still under consideration by the Department?
Sir Henry Betterton
, Rushcliffe
Not by my Department.
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