§ 3. Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Labour the number of manual workers having agreements which provide holidays with pay; and how many such workers have concluded holidays-with-pay agreements since 31st December, 1936, to the last convenient date?
§ 10. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Labour whether he has received the report of the committee on paid holidays and what are their recommendations; and how many workers in the United Kingdom have been promised holidays with pay?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have not yet received this report, but the committee is actively engaged in its preparation. The information in my possession is insufficient to enable me to state the total number of workpeople to whom holidays with pay are granted or have been promised, but it is estimated that about 3,000,000 wage-earners are now covered by collective agreements between organisations of employers and workpeople providing for annual holidays with pay. The number covered by collective agreements arrived at since 31st December, 1936, is estimated at about 1,250,000.
§ Mr. T. SmithDoes that figure include recent agreements?
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the general feeling that this proposal is desirable, will the Minister take steps either to speed up the process or to introduce legislation making holidays with pay applicable to all workers?
§ Mr. BrownThis committee has been sitting and considerable progress has been made by voluntary agreement, which, I think it will be agreed, is the most satisfactory way. I am awaiting the committee's report, which will not be long now.
§ Mr. ThorneDo these agreements include 4,000 iron-stone miners?
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanOn a point of Order. Is it in order for the Minister to anticipate the findings of a committee of this kind by saying the voluntary system is the most satisfactory?