HOURS OF WORK.

HC Deb 17 June 1937 vol 325 cc533-4

10. Mr. Batey

asked the Minister of Labour whether meetings are still being held between his Department and employers' organisations on the question of reducing the hours of labour; and whether any progress is being made?

Mr. E. Brown

The specific series of discussions of which a report was laid before Parliament last November in Cmd. 5317 has been completed. I should point out that these discussions related to the whole question of the absorption of the unemployed into industry, and not only to the reduction of hours of work.

Mr. Batey

Are we to understand that no discussions are going on now in order to try to get hours of labour reduced?

Mr. Brown

At the moment, no.

Mr. Paling

Has any employer reduced hours of labour as a result of these discussions?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Gentleman looks at the Ministry of Labour Gazette he will see that there have been reductions.

Mr. Batey

Are we to understand that the Ministry of Labour do not intend to go any further?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member must not understand anything of the kind. We made it clear that we had no desire to do anything but strengthen the machinery of collective bargaining and make it effective for the improvement of conditions.