HC Deb 05 November 1934 vol 293 cc645-6
75. Mr. LECKIE

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the amount of overtime that is being worked in various industries at present and in order to mitigate unemployment, he will make a special appeal to employers throughout the country to reduce this as much as possible by employing additional workers who are at present out of a job?

Mr. HUDSON

I cannot do better than repeat what was said on the subject by the Lord President of the Council on 5th October, in a speech which received widespread publicity. The Lord President appealed to every firm which is regularly working overtime to think out carefully whether, by organising their hours, they can eliminate regular overtime, and thereby give employment to additional workmen working the normal hours, and the Lord President further suggested that it is a national duty to make that effort.

Mr. HANNON

Flow many instances are there in which response has been given to the appeal made by the Lord President of the Council?

Mr. HUDSON

I do not think I have any figures with which to answer that question.

Mr. HANNON

Is it a fact that there is a widespread feeling that the Lord President's suggestion should be responded to in this way?

Mr. HUDSON

Yes.

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