HC Deb 20 June 1921 vol 143 cc876-7
17. Sir F. HALL

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an eight-hours law is in force in Germany; whether in a large number of instances the workpeople have refused to carry out the provisions of this measure; and will he endeavour to obtain particulars of the hours and wages prevailing there in a number of leading industries, and statistics as to output, with a view to this information being made available for the guidance of employers and workpeople here?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow)

I have been asked to reply. Hours of labour have been legally restricted to eight per day or 48 per week in Germany since November, 1918. Cases of evasion of the measure are certainly being reported by the factory inspectors, but there is no evidence of widespread refusal to carry out the law. Information as to hours and wages is made accessible to the public through the quarterly journal, "Labour Overseas," issued by the Ministry of Labour. Official German statistics of output are issued for two industries only, i.e., coal (monthly) and iron and steel (yearly). I will send my hon. and gallant Friend the forthcoming issue of "Labour Overseas."

Sir F. HALL

Is it not the fact that the workmen of Germany are crying out against this eight-hours day—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—and has it not been shown that the whole desire of the workpeople in Germany is to increase their output, and to work the number of hours necessary in order to give a reasonable return—

Mr. SPEAKER

That question ought to be put on the Paper, and not asked as a supplementary question.

Lieut-Commander KENWORTHY

Who are the pro-Germans now?

Sir F. HALL

On a point of Order. Has not an hon. Member who has received a certain reply from the Government a right to interrogate the Minister, seeing that it is impossible to anticipate the answer likely to be received from the Government Bench?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is pursuing an argument. Will he be good enough to ask the next question?

[Question 18. See col. 864.]