§ Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the arrangements made generally for welfare work in the Air Ministry factories; what persons or organisations are in charge of it; whether it is being done through a Government Department or voluntary agency; and the average and maximum hours of work, including overtime?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)There are no factories engaged in the production of aircraft and equipment which are directly managed by my Department. I appreciate fully the necessity, particularly under present circumstances, of providing adequate welfare facilities in all factories engaged in the production of aircraft and equipment for the Royal Air Force. My Department maintain close contact with these factories and I am advised that the welfare arrangements are generally of a high standard and that there would be no hesitation in drawing attention to unsatisfactory working conditions or to inadequate welfare arrangements. It would not be in the public interest to disclose particulars of hours worked in the aircraft industry.
§ Mr. ManderIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied that the hours of work, between 70 and 80 per week in some cases, have not reached the point where production may fall off?
§ Captain BalfourThat is a matter which is being watched carefully the whole time.