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The mothers take a great deal of interest in these convalescent cases and when
invited to bring their children for purposes of re-inspection attend in good numbers. The
results from such a short stay are generally very satisfactory and at reinspectlon the
improvement had in most cases been maintained. The administrative arrangements have been
in the hands of the West Ham branch of the Invalid and Children's Aid Association for
some years, and have this year again been carried out in a most efficient manner. The
personal interest shown by the staff, backed by their experience of such cases, has been
much appreciated.
During the year 146 children were sent to convalescent homes in the way described.
EMPLOYMENT OP CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS
The present Bye-laws regulating the employment of children outside school hours
were adopted by the Council in 1949. These Bye-laws made under the Children and Young
Persons Act, 1933, replaced the Bye-laws made by the Council in 1934. Important
alterations werej-
(a) No child under the age of 14 years shall be employed.
(b) No child shall be employed on any week-fiay except from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
provided that the employment during this hoar is restricted to the
delivery of milk, bread or newspapers.
Other features of the Regulations are that Sunday is prescribed as a whole holiday
and no child shall be employed on that day. No child taking papt in any entertainment in
pursuance of a licence under Section 22 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, shall
be employed on the day or days of, or on the day following, such entertainment, in any other
employment. No child shall be employed in any work out of doors unless he Is suitably shod
and is suitable clad for protection against the weather.
Furthermore, under Section 18 of the Act mentioned, no child shall be employed to
lift, carry, or move anything so heavy as to be likely to cause injury to him. Employment
of children in West Ham is restricted to the delivery of bread, milk or newspapers.
Occasionally a girl is examined in connection with paper delivery. The medical officer
carrying out the examination gives a certificate on the condition of the child at the time
of examination and it is to the effect that the employment will not be prejudicial to the
health or physical development of the child and will not render him unfit to obtain proper
benefit from his education. In practice children from all types of school - grammar,
technical, modern and special (educationally sub-normal) are examined in this connection.
In the case of che special school child it is the higher grade child who is presented for
examination. In practice over the years it is found that there are ordinarily very few
children indeed who are fit to go to school but are not fit to undertake the one hour's
employment on schooldays which is allowed by the Bye-laws of the Council. It Is very
rarely that a child is found unfit. The number submitted for examination since 19^9 has
progressively declined, the number in that year being 229, and for 1955, 64. The number
of certificates granted for girls to participate in singing and dancing under the
Entertainments Rules has remained fairly constant. The number examined during 1955 was 52.
153