HC Deb 26 July 1934 vol 292 cc2139-40

(1) An order varying the periods of time prescribed in section nineteen of the principal Act (which relates to the time for which drivers of certain vehicles may remain continuously on duty) may be made under subsection (3) of the said section so as to have effect only as respects a particular class of public service vehicles, or only as respects public service vehicles when used in particular circumstances.

(2) Where an application is made under the said subsection (3) as respects drivers of stage carriages when used either—

  1. (a) on regular services under a road service licence to which a condition requiring the observance of a timetable is attached; or
  2. (b) on regular services in respect of which no road service licence is required; then, if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Industrial Court and the Minister that the conditions under which the services are operated are such as to secure that the periods deemed to he continuous periods for the purposes of the said section during which the vehicles are driven include times in which the drivers are able to obtain rest and refreshment, the Industrial Court, in advising on the application, and the 'Minister in giving his determination thereon, may have regard to those conditions.

2.40 a.m.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

This Clause gives effect to an undertaking given by my right hon. Friend who is now Minister of Labour during the discussion in Committee. It gives power to the Minister and an industrial court to consider applications for variations of the prescribed periods of rest. The Clause is designed to meet difficulties which have confronted drivers on split shifts of duty. Proper safeguards against over-fatigue are included in the Clause. I trust that the House will think that this Amendment meets the suggestion made during the course of discussions in Committee.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

The Minister has referred to an Amendment in Committee which stood in the names of the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) and myself. I welcomed the undertaking then given that our wishes would be met as far as possible and that he was going to meet the representatives of the organisations.

Lords Amendment: In page 8, line 31, at end, insert: