§ 80. Mr. MANDERasked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the present position with regard to the request of the Union of Post Office Workers for the introduction of a 40-hour five-day week; and whether he will consider the advisability of adopting this proposal as an example by the Government to employers generally?
§ Sir W. WOMERSLEYMy right hon. Friend made it clear to the deputation from the Union of Post Office Workers who put before him their claim for a 40-hour week that, for the reasons which he then gave, he could not afford them any hope that he would be in a position to accept their claim in the form in which it was presented to him but he promised to consider their representations in favour of some reduction in working hours and he undertook in particular that full inquiry would be made as to the extent to which their net hours of duty differed from their gross hours, which are 48 per week. The results of this inquiry are now under examination.
§ Mr. MANDERWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the introduction of the 40-hour week has been found practicable in the United States; and does he not think this a good opportunity for the Government to give a lead to employers?
§ Sir W. WOMERSLEYMy right hon. Friend has had a full report on how it is working in the United States.
§ Sir A. WILSONWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that most agricultural workers are working 60 hours a week for half the pay of these men?