HC Deb 01 February 1938 vol 331 cc26-7
61. Mr. Lyons

asked the Minister of Labour the industries and the numbers of employés affected in agreements now completed for giving annual paid holidays for 1938; and whether he has yet received the report of the committee which inquired into the question generally?

68. Mr. R. Robinson

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement on the present position of holidays with pay in industry; and whether the report of the committee on this subject has yet been received?

Mr. E. Brown

A list of the industries in which collective agreements between organisations of employers and workpeople providing for holidays with pay known to my Department was published as part of the evidence taken before the Committee on Holidays with Pay on 27th April, 1937. I am sending my hon. Friends a list of similar agreements which have been reported since that date. I estimate that the number of workpeople now covered by collective agreements on this subject is about 2,750,000. The answer to the second part of both questions is in the negative.

Mr. Lyons

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he expects to receive and to consider this report in the immediate future?

Mr. Brown

I imagine that I shall receive the report at an early date.

Mr. Thorne

Do the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has given relate to mutual agreements?

Mr. Brown

They are collective agreements.

Mr. Lyons

Has my right hon. Friend yet decided to publish the report?

Mr. Brown

I must receive it first, of course.

Mr. Kirkwood

Are the 2,750,000 people who are mentioned as having holidays with pay wage-earners?

Mr. Brown

These are the wage-earners who are covered by the collective agreements recorded by my Department.