§ 7. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the position of men engaged on essential war work with long hours of overtime with respect to fire-watching?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) on 26th February.
§ Mr. ManderWhat is the position of men working seven days a week and overtime? Are they still expected to do 48 hours' fire-watching?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe point is covered in the answer which was given to my hon. Friend. I informed him that the local authorities have to exempt from fire-watching duties persons who are engaged in vital national work.
§ Mr. ManderWho would be the appropriate authority?
§ Mr. MorrisonIt depends upon whom the man works for.