§ 64. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an assurance that the people who will be called upon to work on August Bank Holiday will be paid special rates of wages if the trade union agreements stipulate extra pay for holidays?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Assheton)As stated in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Yeovil (Sir G. Davies) on 13th June, it is the view of the Government that questions arising as to the rate of wages for work done on days that would ordinarily be holidays should be settled in accordance with any provisions in agreements relating to this matter. The Order in Council cancelling Monday, 5th August, as a Bank Holiday for statutory purposes, provides expressly that the day shall be deemed to be a Bank Holiday for the purposes of any agreement, whether oral or in writing, relating to the payment of wages for work done on a Bank Holiday.
§ Mr. ThorneAm I to understand from that answer that there is to be no interference with agreements regulating Bank Holiday questions?
§ Mr. AsshetonThat is so.
§ Mr. BanfieldDoes the answer apply also to Trade Board regulations regarding Bank Holidays?
§ Mr. AsshetonYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HiggsIs the Minister aware that some munitions workers are To-day earning as much as £120 or £30 a week; is he further aware that when Sundays were generally being worked for the first time extra pay was not expected; and does he intend to continue to pay these excessively high wages?
§ Mr. AsshetonWhile I do not accept the premises of my hon. Friend's question, perhaps he will put it on the Paper.
§ Mr. KeelingCan my hon. Friend say whether it is proposed to give sailors, soldiers and airmen extra pay for August Bank Holiday?