HC Deb 16 July 1936 vol 314 cc2211-2
7. Mr. TINKER

asked the Minister of Labour how many manual workers are given holidays with pay; and will he ascertain what the cost would be if all workers were given two weeks' holiday with pay in each year?

Mr. E. BROWN

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on 18th June and 9th July to the hon. Members for East Islington (Miss Cazalet), Eccles (Mr. Cary) and Dewsbury (Mr. Riley). I am sending him copies of those replies. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that the available information is insufficient to enable me to calculate the cost of granting holidays with pay to all manual workers.

Mr. TINKER

Seeing that this is important to manual workers, who are expecting that something will be done in this direction, would it not be as well if the right hon. Gentleman tried to get all the information he can, so that subsequent discussion can take place?

Mr. BROWN

We have got information. I do not know exactly how I am to get further information, but I will consider the matter.

Mr. ELLIS SMITH

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing a recommendation to employers that, in the opinion of the Cabinet, the time has arrived when this should be done?

Mr. BROWN

While we may fully sympathise with the desire for something of this kind, we must have regard to practical possibilities.

Mr. PALING

Is it not a fact that the example is being set by other countries, and will the right hon. Gentleman not follow it?

Mr. BROWN

It is true that we lead in many cases in which other countries are 50 years behind the time.

Mr. PALING

Now that they are in front of us, ought we not to try to catch up with them?

Mr. BROWN

Some of them are in front of us only on paper.