47. Mr. SHAWasked the Prime Minister whether the permanent staffs in Government offices work a 48-hour week; and, if not, will he consider the practicability of increasing the hours to that standard, especially as the majority of taxpayers have to work at least 48 hours a week?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER. (Mr. Chamberlain)The hours of attendance of permanent Civil Servants have been fixed, by Order in Council, at not less than seven hours a day, with a half-holiday on alternate Saturdays if the state of public business permits; and, under the scheme which has recently bean approved for the re-organisation of the clerical and adminis- 2226 trative branches of the Civil Service, provision is made for the same hours of daily attendance, with a half-holiday each week, subject to the requirements of public business. The hours of attendance actually in force are determined by Departmental needs, and in a large number of cases they greatly exceed the prescribed minimum of seven hours a day.