HC Deb 02 May 1940 vol 360 cc903-4
82. Captain Plugge

asked the Minister of Supply, in view of the importance of avoiding the mistaken policy of attempting to increase munitions output by excessively long hours and other arrangements likely to diminish the workers' spirit and efficiency, what arrangements have now been made to ensure that such workers shall have adequately long holidays and that these holidays shall be spread in such a way that they do not occur over a short period of the year?

Mr. Burgin

In the view of the Government, maximum production in the conditions of pressure obtaining in war-time is likely to be promoted rather than hindered by allowing workers to have adequate intervals for rest and recreation, including an adequate annual holiday. Instructions have already been issued to Royal Ordnance Factories to give effect to this policy. Moreover, in order to obviate the necessity for the closing of any one works at any particular period and with the object of reducing the numbers of workpeople taking holidays at any one time, arrangements are being made as far as possible for spreading holidays over the whole of the period from May to October this year.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Will it not be possible to pass on this information to the Home Office for privately-owned companies as well?