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of a wholesale or retail shop, or in retail trade elsewhere, and (2)
for securing improved arrangements for the health and comfort of
all shop workers.
1 he Act applies to (a) Retail Shops, (b) Wholesale Shops, and
(c) Warehouses occupied by retail traders or wholesale dealers for
the purposes of their trade.
Employment of Young Persons under 18.
The normal weekly hours of Young Persons employed about
the business of the shops or warehouses to which the Act applies
are not to exceed 52 hours a week until the 27th December, 1936,
and 48 hours a week from that date.
(Hitherto Section 2 of the Shops Act, 1912, permitted a 74
hour week. This provision has been repealed by the present Act.)
A limited amount of overtime is permitted at times of seasonal
or exceptional pressure.
The Act also contains provisions in regard to the Night
Employment of young persons and to the Weekly half holiday and
Meal intervals to be allowed them.
These provisions also apply to young persons employed in
retail trade elsewhere than in a shop.
Certain special provisions are made for (a) the Catering
Trade and (b) the Sale of Supplies or Accessories for Aircraft,
Motor Vehicles or Cycles.
Employers must keep, in the prescribed form, records of the
hours worked by young persons to whom the Act applies.
The prescribed Abstract of the Employment Provisions of the
Act must be exhibited in every shop or warehouse about the business
of which young persons are employed.
Health and Comfort Provisions.
The Act requires the provision, in the shops and warehouses
to which it applies, of suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences,
suitable and sufficient ventilation, means to maintain a reasonable
temperature, suitable and sufficient means of lighting, and suitable
and sufficient washing facilities and facilities for taking meals. It
also strengthen the provisions of the existing law relating to the
provision of seats for female shop assistants. (These provisions
apply to adults and young persons alike.)
Administration of Act.
The responsibility for the administration of the Act rests with
local authorities, and the Secretary of State desires to call the
special attention of your authority to the importance of taking the
necessary steps to secure its adequate enforcement.
I suggest that the Act should be administered through one or
more Shops Inspectors acting in conjunction with your present
staff of Sanitary Inspectors.
F. GARLAND COLLINS.
February, 1935.
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