57. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the Prime Minister, in view of the desirability, particularly at the present time, of arranging that work should be done as far as possible by daylight, whether he will take steps to make earlier the hours of commencing and leaving off work in Government offices, in so far as practicable and even where some steps have already been taken in that direction; and whether -he will cause intimations to be published urging other employers and the public generally to do the same?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAlthough a general alteration in the official hours of Government Departments would be impracticable at present there is no objection to the fixing of earlier hours by the responsible head of any Department where this can conveniently be done without detriment to the public service. I do not think it necessary to adopt the suggestion put forward in the last part of the question.