HC Deb 11 July 1919 vol 117 cc2148-9
2. Mr. JOHN JONES

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, in spite of his appeal that neither employers nor workpeople in the baking trade would make any alteration in the working hours pending the Report of the Committee, the employers are making such alterations and are requiring their employés to return to night work; whether he is aware that this action of the employers is causing resentment and will lead to trouble; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Wardle)

The Report of the Committee on night baking was laid on the Table of both Houses on Tuesday, 8th July, and will be issued to-morrow (Saturday). I should very much deprecate any attempt on the part of employers to revert to night work before the findings of the Committee have received consideration. I propose to ask the representatives of the employers and the operatives to come together at an early date to consider certain of the recommendations of the Committee which may be applied to meet the immediate situation; and, in the meanwhile, I trust that no action will be taken by employers in the direction of reintroducing night work.