100. Mr. G. MURRAYasked the Financial Secretary to the. Treasury whether the present daily hours of employment in Government offices for the clerical grades are from ten to five; and, if this is so, whether he will, with the object of economising in the number of employés, and consequently in expenditure, consider the desirability of establishing an eight-hour day in these offices?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hilton Young)The normal hours of attendance for the general clerical classes employed in London headquarter offices are seven a day, but as I have stated in reply to previous questions these hours are frequently exceeded without extra payment. In provincial offices generally, where a large proportion of the clerical staff is employed, the normal hours of attendance are eight a day. As regards the second part of the question, decision must await action on the recommendation made on page 157 of the Third Report of the Committee on National Expenditure.
Mr. G. MURRAYIs the hon. Gentleman making full inquiry into the whole matter to see if it is not possible to arrange that the large number of officials of the lower grades do perform eight hours work per day?