HC Deb 17 June 1937 vol 325 cc704-5

11.4 p.m.

Mr. Lloyd

I beg to move, in page 60, line 34, after "factory," to insert:

  1. "(a) increase for women, during any period of such pressure, the hours of work and the period of employment allowed in a day under this section, so, however, that the increase shall only take place in such number of weeks, not exceeding eight in any year, as may be specified in the regulations;
  2. (b)."
There are a certain number of trades, though only a very few, in which there is an exceptional pressure of work for a short time in the year. This matter was discussed in Committee, and the example we had before us particularly was that of the aerated water industry. The demand from the industrial population for aerated waters during a hot spell may become of almost incredible dimensions, and from the information we have at the Home Office it is necessary, if the turnover of the aerated water bottles as they come back empty is to be maintained, and the thirst of the nation is to be quenched in teetotal liquors, that there should be some slight relaxation of the regulations in their case. In the Standing Committee a proposal which was in rather broader terms was put forward to meet the case of that industry. That proposal was not accepted, and we have now brought in an Amendment in a much narrower form, limiting the concession to a period not exceeding eight weeks in the year. I hope the House will accept it in that more restricted form.

11.5 p.m.

Mr. Mander

I cannot help thinking with alarm of the terms of this Amendment. The hon. Gentleman has mentioned aerated waters; there might be quite a number of applicants putting in for concessions. In Committee we heard about bakeries and laundries and various other industries; would the hon. Gentleman be good enough to say what other industries there will be? We ought to have that information before we part with this Amendment.

Mr. Lloyd

At the moment, I think, there are no other industries. I will, of course, take advice to see whether there are any other industries, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Home Office have no intention whatever of using this power in any extended way.

Mr. Jagger

The aerated water manufacturers have been the prominent people in trying to prove that transport workers ought to work more than 11 hours a day. They have been at it ever since the Transport Act was passed, and they have never won yet.

Amendment agreed to.