HC Deb 14 March 1940 vol 358 cc1344-5
21. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Labour the progress made in granting holidays with pay since the passage of the Holidays with Pay Act, in connection with trade boards and other wage-regulating authorities, and in voluntary industrial agreements generally?

Mr. E. Brown

Since the Holidays with Pay Act came into operation in July, 1938,Orders requiring employers to provide holidays with pay have been issued in respect of 49 trade boards, covering rather more than 1,000,000 people. In a further six cases notices of proposal to make such an Order have been issued. As regards Agricultural Wages Committees, I am informed that Orders have been issued in respect of all areas (with the exception of Monmouthshire) into which Great Britain is divided for the purpose of the Agricultural Wages Acts. These Orders cover about 600,000 workpeople. In addition, an Order relating to the road motor haulage industry has been issued by the Road Haulage Central Wages Board making holidays with pay for employés of "A" and "B" licence holders in Great Britain statutorily enforceable as from 29th January, 1940. It is estimated that the number of persons covered by collective agreements providing for holidays with pay is now about 4,500,000. This compares with an estimate of 3,000,000 made by the Amulree Committee when presenting their report in March, 1938.

Mr. Mander

Can my right hon. Friend say whether that very satisfactory progress is still being continued?

Mr. Brown

Certainly, Sir. The House took the view that the method of collective agreements was the best way of dealing with the matter, and it has proved so.

Mr. Davidson

Is the Minister aware that this Act has resulted in an increasing number of English people going to Scotland for their holidays, and staying there?