On This Day, 22 June 1917

Birmingham Mail

Friday 22 June 1917

ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN

A NEW DEPARTURE IN BIRMINGHAM

A new departure was made in cases taken today in the Second Court of Birmingham Police under the Factory and Workshops Acts.

In addition to persons illegally employing children being summoned and fined, parents were brought before the Court for permitting their children to be so employed.

Thomas Henry Yepp, 61 1/2 Edgbaston Street, was required to pay £13 12s. in respect of nine summonses for employing children otherwise than upon the half-time system.

Evidence was given that the children, who went to school, were employed in the dinner hour and evening contrary to the Act.

Samuel Jeffrey, 1 back 36, Owen Street, was fined 15s. in respect of three summonses for allowing his son to be employed by Yapp, contrary to the Act, and Clara Wright, 5 court, 5 house, Skinner Lane, was fined 5s, on two summonses for allowing her daughter Clara to be illegally employed.

Miss Martindale, H. M. Inspector of Factories, explained that she did not wish to press the charge against Mrs. Wright, who was the wife of a soldier with three young children. It was with some reluctance that they proceeded against the parents, but they desired that they should realise their responsibilities under the Act.

H. Parsons, Ltd., was fined £6 and 2s. costs, being £3 each in respect of two summonses for illegally employing two girls of 13 on Sunday, May 6, from 9 .m. to 5 p.m. Mr. Cook, who represented the firm, said the girls were only employed on the Sunday and two evenings. He sent to their school to know if he was doing right, and when he learned that he was not entitled to employ the girls he at once ceased to do so. Had he not communicated with the school nothing would have been known about it.