§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why he has extended the overtime exception in Section 53 of the Factory Act, to the making of boxes for aerated water; and (2) whether there is any reason why these boxes should not be made at any time of the year, although they may be more employed in one part of the year than in another?
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolI granted overtime in this case because I was satisfied that the 15 trade was a season trade, liable to sudden and unexpected pressure of work, and closely associated with the aerated water trade in which overtime is already allowed. I made special inquiry into the point raised in the second paragraph of the Question and was satisfied that it was not possible to provide adequately for emergencies by working to stock. The right hon. Baronet will remember that the overtime exception applies only to adult women and that the maximum overtime allowed is only 45 hours in 12 months.