§ 1. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the increase or decrease in the overtime worked in any industry in this country?
§ 14. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to ascertain the extent of overtime worked throughout industry?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)The Department's information as to the extent of overtime worked is limited to particulars supplied by some firms in the wool textile, boot and shoe, pottery and brick industries, who furnish voluntary returns relating to the state of employment at their works in one week of each month. This information is summarised regularly in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."
§ Mr. DAVIESWill the right hon. Gentleman keep his eye on the problem whether excessive overtime is not detrimental to the absorption of unemployed workers?
§ Mr. BROWNIn the discussions that are going forward with the various trades with regard to the absorption of unemployed workers, this point is regularly brought forward.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are complaints in all the coal-mining areas about the excessive overtime that is being worked?
§ Mr. BROWNAs the hon. Member knows, special inquiries are being made with regard to coal-mining, and questions relating to that industry should be addressed to the Secretary for Mines.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISCould not the right hon. Gentleman collect, through the machinery of the Employment Exchanges, or through the employers and trade unions concerned, some fairly accurate information on this most important matter?
§ Mr. BROWNI have already said that I am discussing the matter with these various industries, and I should prefer to await information from them before proceeding further.
§ Mr. LAWSONAre we to take it that the only information that the right hon. Gentleman has on this matter is obtained from the employers?