HC Deb 02 December 1926 vol 200 cc1356-7
16. Mr. OLIVER

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will make arrangements so that warders employed in the museums may be enabled to take the whole of their 15 days' annual leave without a break during the next summer holiday period: and whether any and, if so, what arrangements are being made to enable the men to take the casual leave which is due to them?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Duchess of Atholl)

As regards the first part of the question, my right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Member to the answer which he gave him on the 29th July last. The agreement of August, 1925, under which the leave was increased from 12 to 15 days, made it clear that the grant of three additional days of annual leave to employés in this class was made in view of the peculiar conditions of their service and their inability, as a rule, to take holidays at the times ordinarily available to other employés of similar status. As regards the second part of the question, arrangements are made to enable the warders to take the casual leave due to them, but the times at which such leave can be taken are subject, like all leave privileges, to the exigencies of the public service.

Mr. OLIVER

Is it an unreasonable request from these men that they should have their 15 days' holiday without a break?

Duchess of ATHOLL

I do not think the hon. Member heard my answer correctly. Had he done so, it would have been clear to him that these men cannot normally be allowed, under the new agreement, 15 days without a break.