The Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1904, and The Children Act, 1908, provide a fine of £25, or in default or addition three months, for any 'one causing or procuring any boy under fourteen or girl under sixteen, or having the custody allows such---(a) in any street or premises for the purpose of begging, receiving alms, or inducing the giving of alms, under the pretence of singing, playing, performing, or offering for sale ; (b) to be in any premises licensed for sale of intoxicating liquor, other than promises licensed for enter tainments, for the purpose of singing, playing, performing, being exhibited for profit, or offering for sale between 9 P.M. and 6 A.M. ; (c) if the child is under eleven, on licensed premises, whether for liquor or public entertainments, or a circus, or other place of amusement where entrance is paid for, or any street, for the purpose of playing, &c., as above ; (d) if under sixteen, in any place to be trained as an acrobat, contortionist, circus performer or any dangerous exhibi tion or performance. But these provisions do not apply to entertainments for t1.2 benefit of schools or charities not held on premises licensed for liquor, or if so under spacial exemption by two justices of the peace. The local authority may by bye-laws change the hours of 9 P.M. to 6 P.M. generally or specifically. A petty sessional court, or in Scotland the school authority, 11.-v grant a license under conditions for any child above ten—(a) to take part io entertainments on premises licensed therefor, or in a circus or other public place of amusement ; (b) to be trained as above ; or (c) for both pur poses, if satisfied of the fitness of the child, and that there is proper provision for its health and kind treatment. The Court may add to, vary, or rescind any license. The inspector under the Act4of 1903 is required to see the con ditions carried out, and can enter any public premises for that purpose. On application for a license, seven days' notice must be given to the chief of the police for the district, who can appear at the hearing and object. A copy of the license must be sent to the local authority under a penalty, on failure, of 1'5.
Employment under the Factory "child" is any one under thirteen, or where no certificate of school attendance fourteen, and a young person is from that age to eighteen. A " young person " can only be employed from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. or 7 A.M. to 7 P.M., with two hours for meals. On Saturday 6 A.M. to 12 A.M., and one hour for meals, or 12.30 in some cases, or 11.30 if only one half-hour for meals, or 12 in some cases, and from 7 A.M. to 12.30 or 1 P.M., with half-an-hour for meals ; but no period must be ever 41 hours without an interval of half-an-hour for a meal. Children can only be " half
timers," beginning in the morning shift as above to 1 P.M. or dinner-time, or at 12 if the dinner-time is not till 2 ; in filo afternoon shift, from 1 P.M., dinner time, or 12 A.M. if the afternoon starts then, and end as for a young person. These shifts must be week about, and a child must not be employed on two successive Saturdays. If employed on the alternative day system then as a young person, but not on two successive days, or the same day on two successive weeks, nor more than 4i hours at a stretch. These hours are varied slightly in non-textile factories print works, &c.
Except during such periods the child cannot be employed in a business outside the factory on any day it is employed therein ; or a young person when on both morning and afternoon shifts. This applies where work is given out to be done at home. The young person, both in factory and otherwise, must not work beyond the number of hours allowed above. The employer must fix up a notice giving the period of employment, the times allowed for meals, and whether the children are on morning and afternoon shifts or alternate days. If any change is to be made from the times specified in the notice, it can only be done once a quarter, by giving notice to the inspector and fixing up a copy. The inspector can give notice that .,he time must be regulated by a specified public clock or one open to view. The children and young persons must all have meals at the same time (with exceptions), and must not be employed or remain in a room where work is going on during meals, nor can they be employed on Sundays. Provision is made for annual holidays. There are many other details as to hours in different trades, such as employment of young persons in creameries for three hours on Sundays, the substitution of another day for Saturday, provisions as to Jewish workshops, overtime, and other matters too detailed to set out.
Provision is made for certificates of fitness of young peyons and childrin, von personal examination and signed by tl.e surgeon, and provisions for the education of the half-timers.
the Mines Act of 1900 no boy under the age of thirteen can be em ployed below ground. Under the Dangerous Performances Act of 18(27 the age limit is extended to sixteen for a boy and eighteen far a girl.
Local education authorities have now statutory powers, under the Educa tion (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910, to give boys and girls information, advice, and assistance with respect to the choice of employment.