§ 42. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to pass the Bill providing for a 48–hours week; whether any of the trades affected are, as a prior step, to be consulted as to its effect on their work and livelihood; and whether any of them have expressed any opinion and, if so, what that opinion is?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is the hope of the Government that the Bill to limit the hours of work in industrial undertakings, which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour proposes to introduce to-day, will be passed into law. He has discussed the proposals with organisations representative of employers and employed, and the views of the various interests concerned will, no doubt, be adequately considered in the Debates on the Bill.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the 48–houre proposal going to be confined within the six days or seven?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps my hon. Friend will wait till the Bill is before him.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIs it not a fact that the railway workers have turned it down?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat question had better be put to the Minister of Labour.