HC Deb 24 November 1927 vol 210 cc2043-4
12. Viscount SANDON

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that workers are in some places kept at their employment till 8 or 9 o'clock at night without payment for overtime and that persons under 18 years of age do, in some instances, more than 70 hours' work a week; whether he will insist on the right of saleswomen to use the seats provided by law; and whether, under any forthcoming legislation, he proposes to take statutory powers where he has evidence of any such abuses that are beyond his control?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I understand the question refers to workers in shops. Shops do not come under the direct supervision of my Department, the enforcement of the Acts being in the hands of the local authorities; and I have no authoritative information on the points raised in the quesiton. I understand that it is not usual in the retail trades to give extra pay for overtime, and as regards the hours of young persons, my information is that young persons are rarely employed up to the weekly maximum allowed by the Act, namely, 74 hours inclusive of meal times. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot say more than that the matters to which my Noble Friend has drawn attention will not be overlooked when amending legislation is being considered.

Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very large number of young workers who receive no protection at all from any Act of Parliament or any Regulation as regards hours, and in consequence work abominably long hours. May I ask him to pay attention to the matter when he is framing his Bill?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

In any further legislation I will carefully consider these points.

Miss BONDFIELD

Is it not a matter of great concern to the House that there should be on the Statute Book an Act permitting young persons to work 74 hours a week?

Viscountess ASTOR

If the Government carried out the promise given quite definitely by Lord Balfour in the other House that the Government would soon ratify the Washington Eight Hours Convention, would not that cover these cases?