§ 52. Mr. M'GUFFINasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at a meeting of the engineering and shipbuilding trade unions held in the Central Hall, Westminster, on Thursday, the 27th ultimo, it was decided to take a ballot of the above unions with respect to a 44-hour week; and whether, in the event of a substantial majority being secured in favour of a 44-hour week, the Government will undertake to introduce a Bill to regulate the hours accordingly?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir R. Horne)I have been asked to answer this question. I presume that if the ballot of the members of the engineering and shipbuilding trade unions is in favour of an alteration in hours negotiations will take place between the trade unions and the employers' federations concerned and in these circumstances I can make no statement on the point raised in the last part of the question.