20. Mr. David Adamsasked the Home Secretary whether the number of firms employing workpeople which have adopted the five-day week; and whether he has information as to the resulting advantages in the matter of health, increased opportunity for travel, cultural and other activities of such workers?
§ Sir S. HoareThe extent to which the five-day week system has been adopted in industry and its advantages and disadvantages have been reviewed from time to time in the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories. In particular, I would refer the hon. Member to the reports for 1934, pages 82 to 85, 1936, 2047 page 63, and 1937, page 73. My recent information is that there is a slow but steady increase in the number of firms who have adopted the system. I will consider whether it is possible for the inspectors to collect further information in the course of their visits to the works.
Mr. AdamsMay we take it that the Department very keenly appreciates the great advantages of this movement in the matter of employment and health?