§ 18. Mr. HOFFMANasked the Home Secretary if he can make any further statement as to the policy of His Majesty's Government in relation to the hours of labour of shop assistants?
§ Mr. CLYNESI can only remind my hon. Friend that this question is being considered by a Select Committee of this House, whose report is expected very shortly. Any statement of policy must await the consideration of this report.
§ Mr. HOFFMANIs my right hon. Friend aware that the recent action of Selfridge's, for instance, in the West End of London, is throwing us back to a period of over 30 years ago, that a large number of other houses are following in the trail of this firm, and that shop assistants' hours in the West End are being increased?
§ Mr. CLYNESI cannot make this particular instance relate to the report.
§ Captain CAZALETIs it not a fact that Selfridge's in every other respect treat their employés better than any other firm in the country?
§ Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs it not a fact that this change of policy at Selfridge's is at the instance or with the support of the assistants themselves?