§ 72. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that in his post-war planning proposals are already in hand to ensure reasonable hours of work for shop assistants, and, in particular, that war time hours of closing will be maintained after the war as far as possible and no women and girls kept at work as late as they were formerly?
§ Mr. PeakeThe special provisions for the early closing of shops in war-time have been based on the conditions resulting from the blackout and from transport difficulties; and any decision regarding the working hours of shop assistants in time of peace would have to be based on considerations of a different order from those governing war-time arrangements. There has hitherto been no opportunity to consider what amendments of the law may be desirable in time of peace, and, while I am in full sympathy with my hon. Friend's desire that this matter shall receive due attention, I fear that in view of the present urgent need for economising time and labour for the war effort, there is no immediate prospect of embarking on the inquiries and consultations which would be necessary for the purpose of reviewing the complex provisions of the Shops-Acts.
§ Mr. WalkdenWill my hon. Friend have consultations with the Paymaster-General who referred to blue prints for post-war conditions of labour, and also with the Minister of Labour, who seems to be very anxious about the welfare of other sections than the distributive trades, with regard to hours and conditions?
§ Mr. PeakeThere have been consultations with the Paymaster-General in framing the answer I have given. As regards the Minister of Labour, naturally he would be brought into consultations on a question of this sort.