HC Deb 20 October 1949 vol 468 cc726-7
3. Major Bruce

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give an estimate of the number of insured workers now entitled to an annual holiday with pay of at least one working week; and whether he can give an estimate of the number so entitled in 1938 to 1939.

Mr. Isaacs

It is estimated that about 20 million workers are now entitled to annual holidays with pay of not less than one week. In 1938 the number was about 7¾ million.

Mr. Osborne

Could the Minister tell us who wrote these Questions out for him?

Mr. Isaacs

I could not say who wrote them, but I can say who did not write them, and that was me.

Major Bruce

Will my right hon. Friend agree that there is some connection between the answer to this Question and the answer to the previous Question?

Mr. John Paton

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he is aware that this noticeable evidence of social betterment following from Government policy will be received with great satisfaction by the organised workers of this country?

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Can the Minister tell us how much was due to Marshall Aid?

Mr. Harold Davies

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the increased productivity of the workers of Britain compared with other workers of Europe is in no small way due to the wise policy of private and national enterprise in giving holidays with pay to the workers?

Mr. Isaacs

There is no doubt that industrial relationships in this country, which are better than in any other country in the world, do contribute to this end.