§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."
§ 11.19 p.m.
§ Mr. KELLYI think we ought to have some explanation of this Clause. It has been considered on Second Reading, but under this Clause women now may be called upon to work in four shifts with a continuous period of working. For a measure of this kind to be pushed through without any explanation as to the change there is in women's work, and in this Clause dealing with a special section of women in managerial positions who shall be working at any of those periods that are arranged through the whole 24 hours of the day, it is too much to ask the House at this time of night to pass it through without the slightest explanation from the Department.
§ 11.20 p.m.
§ The UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)I think the hon. Member must be under some misapprehension. There is no connection between these two Conventions. The First Convention in Clause 1 deals solely with the question of exemption of women holding 1908 managerial positions from the general prohibition against night work. The remaining Clauses deal with another convention adopted at Geneva, the object of which is altogether unconnected with the question of night work by women. It deals with the provision of rest periods instead of the week-end for workers engaged in this industry where automatic machines are in use. There is no connection between the two.
§ Mr. KELLYI want it to be clear that, while the other part of the Bill deals with rest periods, this deals with the fact that women may work throughout the night continuously for long periods. I think the House ought to understand what it is passing.
§ Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.
§ Remaining Clauses ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Schedule agreed to.
§ Preamble agreed to.
§ Bill reported, without Amendment; read the Third time, and passed, without Amendment.