§ 30. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement relative to the legal provisions now existing in this country, showing under what statutory authority these legal provisions exist, whereby persons employed in industry are entitled to a period of rest of 24 hours in every period of seven days?
§ Following is the statement
§ There are relevant legal provisions in the Factory and Workshops Acts and the Coal Mines Act, 1911. The effect of the employment provisions in the Factory and Workshops Acts is that women and young persons (with certain exceptions) cannot be employed between 4 p.m. on Saturday (or where another short day is substituted for Saturday, 8 p.m. on. Saturday) and 6 a.m. on Monday. The exceptions are in respect of (a) male young persons over 16 working in shifts in necessarily continuous processes in blast furnaces, paper mills and glass works, and (b) women and young persons employed in creameries during the months of May to October. The hours of these workers are subject to special provisions. Section 92, Sub-section 3 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, provides that no boy, girl or woman shall be employed above ground in connection with any mine on Sunday or after 2 p.m. on Saturday.
§ 31. Mr. G. WHITEasked the Minister of Labour whether the ratification by this country of the 1921 convention concerning the weekly rest day in industry is still under consideration?
Mr. HUDSONThis matter is closely connected with the general question of the limitation of weekly hours of work and would have to be taken into consideration when any decision is reached on that subject.