§ 57. Mr. Higgsasked the Home Secretary whether he intends to modify the present restriction on the scheme of hours in factories so that unskilled labour can, where possible, take the place of more highly-skilled workers in order to release the latter for more difficult tasks?
§ Sir J. AndersonThere are many cases in which the employment of unskilled labour in place of more skilled workers raises no question of modification of the provisions of the Factories Act relating to hours of work of women and young persons. In any cases where, as a result of special war-time arrangements for utilising the services of women and young persons, it appears that there may be grounds for modifying the provisions of the Factories Act, applications for such modifications are considered with reference to all the relevant circumstances.
§ Mr. HiggsIs the Minister aware that machine tools in this country could be worked another 50 per cent. of their time if there was available the skilled labour to work them?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt does not follow that it would come within the provisions of the Factories Act.
§ Mr. HiggsIf skilled workers who are working all night were released for work in the day-time, and the unskilled workers were to work more at night, would there not be more skilled labour available?