§ 38. Mr. MARCUS SAMUELasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the amount of overtime worked in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics since the establishment of the seven-hour day; how much of such overtime is unpaid; and whether overtime is worked free of payment on workers' free days?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI have no information as to the amount of overtime worked in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics since the establishment of the seven-hour day. The Labour Code provides that overtime shall be worked only when specially authorised in exceptional cases; that, when worked, it shall not, in general, exceed 120 hours a year; and that any overtime worked shall be remunerated at 50 per cent. above the normal rate for the first two hours on any one day and twice the normal rate for each subsequent hour. An Order of July, 1934, stipulates that overtime, when worked, must be paid for, and may not be compensated by the grant of additional leave. So far as I am aware, however, no statistics have been published showing the amount of overtime worked or the rates actually paid. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that, in the past, work has, in some cases, been performed without pay on free days as a voluntary contribution to the completion of an economic plan; but I am not aware whether the practice continues.
§ Mr. SAMUELWould it not be worth while to make inquiries in this particular case, seeing that we are having all sorts of international proposals for limiting the hours of labour?
Mr. ALEXANDERWould the hon. and gallant Gentleman say from what source the information contained in the answer has been obtained, arid whether he is now to be regarded as the Minister for replying on Soviet questions?
§ Miss HORSBRUGHIs it the case that women are allowed to work overtime on exactly the same basis as men in Russia?