Written question asked by Barry Field (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 1997. It was answered by Lord Horam (Conservative) on Monday, 24 February 1997 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: If he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department.

Answer: Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department. [15915] Mr. Horam: This Department sets out the following age requirements in primary legislation: under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, section 18, children may not in general be employed under the age of 13. Restrictions also apply to hours worked by children up to the minimum school leaving age. Street trading under the age of 16 is also prohibited under section 20 of the Act as amended, but children of 14 or over can be employed by their parents. These requirements are enforced by local authorities; and an application for a licence to set up a nurses agency may be refused by a local authority under section 2(3)(a) of the Nurses Agencies Act 1957 if the applicant, or licence holder, is under 21.

Secondary information