§ 13. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour the present position with regard to his conversations with representatives of employers and employed concerning the practicability of the 40-hour week?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)As a result of my right hon. Friend's consultation with the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations, after he had met representatives of the Trades Union Congress General Council, the former body undertook to make inquiries in the various industries on the subject of the absorption of workpeople into employment, including the practicability of the 40-hour week. These inquiries have been of a detailed character, and have necessarily taken some time, but my right hon. Friend was informed last week that he will certainly have the report of the Confederation by the end of this month. My right hon. Friend hopes then to meet the Trades Union Congress General Council again, and to discuss the position with them. It will be understood that very important issues are raised by proposals of the character of the 40-hour week, and my right hon. Friend's desire, in stimulating the action which has been taken, is to secure a position in which policy can be settled, without prejudice, on the basis of agreed facts. This is, I am sure, the desire of both sides in industry.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that all experience shows that, in matters such as this, reduction in hours without any reduction in wages can never be brought about voluntarily, and that it will require an Act of Parliament; and is he prepared to bring the matter before the Cabinet along those lines, or to suggest it to his right hon. Friend?
§ Mr. HUDSONAs I think I said in my answer, the first thing we have to do is to get agreed facts on which to base a policy. As soon as we have facts that are agreed upon by both sides, we may then consider the necessary steps required to be taken.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSAre the Government studying what is happening in America, and will they delay action here until they find out what kind of a mess that country is getting itself into?