§ 59. Mr. Thorneasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the conditions of employment of night watchmen in Government buildings, and that a 48-hour week has to be worked indiscriminately through Sundays and public holidays, including Christmas Day; and whether, in view of the fact that the 853 men employed are ineligible for unemployment benefit, and are, for the most part, ex-service men without other resources, he will consider the advisability of improving the working conditions and wage rates at present applying?
§ Sir P. SassoonAs the answer is a long one, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The rates of pay of the nightwatchmen employed by my Department in Government buildings in London were increased in April, 1935, when the rates now in operation were settled by agreement with the men's trade union representatives. The normal hours of duty are 48 a week, usually worked in shifts of 8 hours or 12 hours each. As a regular service has to be provided, it is necessary for men to be employed on Sundays and public holidays, and additional payment is made for attendance on Christmas Day, Good Friday and all Sundays, even though it forms part of the normal 48-hour working week. As a result of this extra pay for Sunday duty, over 90 per cent. of the men receive a regular addition of more than 3s. to their nominal weekly wage. No additional payment is made for attendance on other public holidays, but in view of the liability for duty on such days the allowance of ordinary leave for the grade has been fixed at 12 days per annum, the allowance for other industrial staff employed by my Department being limited to six days in addition to six public holidays. The men are also provided with uniforms and enjoy privileges in the way of payments during absence occasioned by illness after 12 months' service. In the circumstances I see no reason at the present time for altering the existing working conditions and rates of wages.