§ 9. Mr. LESLIEasked the Minister of Labour, in view of His Majesty's Gov- 1070 ernment's reply to the questionnaire of the International Labour Office on the subject of holidays with pay, whether he can state what countries have legislation providing for paid holidays for workers and what arrangements are made in those countries to meet the difficulties presented by the workpeople who, during the year, work for different employers or who are not continuously employed?
§ Mr. E. BROWNAs the hon. Member is aware, the subject of holidays with pay was discussed at the International Labour Conference last year and is to be further discussed at the Conference to be held in June. The information desired by my hon. Friend is contained in the reports of the International Labour Office prepared for these discussions and I would suggest that, in view of the impossibility of dealing with it within the limits of an answer to a question, he should consult those reports. I should like to add that it is usual to require at last six months' continuous service as a qualification for a holiday with pay and I know of no legislative provision to meet the difficulties presented by workpeople who during the year work for different employers or who are not continuously employed. On the basis of the replies of the various Governments to their inquiry, the International Labour Office has proposed, in the draft convention to be discussed at the coming Conference, that one year of continuous service shall be the qualification for a holiday with pay.
§ Mr. LESLIEDo the Government consider that legislation to secure paid holidays will only be practicable when unemployment has been abolished and when workers are continuously employed—