HC Deb 21 April 1936 vol 311 cc14-6
20. Mr. LYONS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the progress of his conversations with industrial representatives with reference to a five-day week and work sharing in industry, and the date of the last of such conversations; whether he can agree to publish a statement of the non-confidential parts thereof; and whether, in view of the success of the five-day week in the factories of Messrs. Boots, Limited, and the report of Sir Richard Redmayne thereupon, he has met, or is proposing to meet, the introducers of that scheme in the course of his discussions?

21. Mr. T. SMITH

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any further information to give the House regarding conversations with, employers of labour on the question of a reduction of working hours?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)

As the reply is very long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. LYONS

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of what is the great public interest in this pressing matter and the desire of many Members of this House to have the opportunity of discussing what has taken place, he does not think an early statement can usefully be made; and also does he not think that those who pioneered this industrial development might well be taken into consultation in the matter?

Mr. BROWN

Those are facts which I have had in mind. I have prepared a very full statement, and perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will read it, and then, if necessary, put down a question.

Mr. G. GRIFFITHS

Will the Minister use his endeavours to see that there is no reduction of wages whatever?

Mr. BROWN

We always take note of the possible effect on earnings.

Following is the reply:

In addition to meetings with the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations and the Trades Union Congress General Council, my predecessor and I have had meetings with the representatives of employers' organisations in 22 industries, the last meeting taking place on 30th July last. The hon. Members will see from the list of these industries which follows that they cover a substantial part of industrial employment. Since July there have been a number of informal discussions and arrangements have been made for further meetings during May with certain industries not previously covered. The main object of the meetings has been to stimulate the examination in the industries of all means by which employment may be increased. Among the questions to which attention has been specially directed have been the supply and availability of various classes of workers, the age distribution of workers, hours of work and overtime. As regards the reduction of the hours of work it has been made clear to me that any reduction which involved a reduction of earnings would not be acceptable to the workpeople and that, in the various industrial negotiations which have taken place during recent months, the aim has been the increase of earnings rather than the reduction of hours. The report on the action taken by Messrs. Boots to which the hon. Member for Leicester refers draws attention to the differences which exist in the various industries in regard to the cost of a reduction of hours of work and I regard it as a very valuable contribution to the discussion of this problem. Messrs. Boots have been in close touch with my Department and it is not necessary to arrange for a special meeting with them.

The list of industries in which meetings with representatives of employers have already taken place is as follows: