HC Deb 17 June 1937 vol 325 cc705-6

11.7 p.m.

Mr. Ellis Smith

I beg to move, in page 65, line 12, to leave out from "six," to "in" in line 14.

Mr. Walker

I beg to second the Amendment.

When I moved this Amendment in Committee, I received a promise from the then Home Secretary that the matter would be considered because the case when presented showed that there was no necessity for the provision which we propose to delete. In the iron and steel industry they do not work seven shifts; by national agreement it is laid down quite clearly that there is a six-shift week, and no overtime is allowed, except for men who are doing maintenance work and repairs. There is no demand at all for anything like this. We are very much astonished that the provision has been continued in the Report stage after the promise that I received from the Home Secretary.

11.8 p.m.

Mr. Lloyd

The paragraph has been looked into, and it seems there are very few young persons affected by it. It is thought it is practicable to avoid employing young persons on the seventh turn.

Amendment agreed to.