Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 6 March 1935.
Viscountess ASTOR:
61.asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the influx of juveniles into the labour market, he can offer any prospect of legislation to control the hours and conditions of work of the 300,000 juvenile workers left outside the scope of the Shops Act, 1934?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
I am afraid that no such legislation will be practicable during the current Session, and I am not in a position to make any further statement at present. I can, however, assure the Noble Lady that the matter has not been and will not be overlooked.
Viscountess ASTOR:
Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that when we were in Committee on the Children Bill the Government practically promised that they would bring in legislation to deal with this matter? There are 300,000 of these juveniles in unregulated trades, some working as many as 74 hours per week. Will he also remember that the House is in favour of dealing with these Children and that there is a moral obligation on the Government to deal with the matter?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
I have tried to make it clear to the Noble Lady that these matters are under consideration. I cannot make any definite statement regarding it, but I can assure the hon. Member that the matter is under consideration.
Mr Jack Lawson
, Chester-le-Street
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that employers can always get the better of regulations unless there is a strong trade union to look after them?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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