§ 37. Mr. SITCHasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the employment by Messrs. Dunlop, Birmingham, of women on night work, including the manufacture of golf balls; whether, in view of Section 26 of the Factory and Workshop Act, he will say if such employment has been with his knowledge and consent; and if he will furnish information of any suspensions of' Sections 24 and 26 of the Acts above named with reasons therefor?
§ Mr. SHORTTWomen and boys over sixteen years of age are employed in certain of this firm's works at night, in pursuance of Emergency Orders made under the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The stoppage of night work immediately the pressure of war contracts ceased would have involved the discharge of over 3,000 workers, and the system of shifts which was in force during the War has been continued for a short period to give the firm time to make other arrangements, on condition that women and boys should only be employed at night on work which is essentially women's and boys' work. I am informed that no women are employed on the night shift in the manufacture of golf balls. The bulk of the work of the factories is work of national importance. The question of night work in rubber works was recently considered by the Joint Industrial Council for the Industry, and the action of the Home Office in this case is in accordance with the recommendations of the council. Emergency Orders have been granted in a number of other cases on similar grounds.