43. Major Lloydasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the degree of avoidable absenteeism on overtime expressed as overall percentages during the months of July, August and September, 1942, respectively, in the shipyards on the Clyde?
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Captain Pilkington)As some shipbuilding firms on the Clyde do not keep detailed records of absenteeism, I am unable to give comprehensive figures for the avoidable absenteeism on overtime for the whole of the Clyde shipyards, but with the hon. and gallant Member's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving what information is available, and including figures for absenteeism in normal working hours during the same periods.
Major LloydCannot arrangements be made for some of the worst offenders in this connection to travel on one of our convoys to Russia so that they could learn at first hand how Russia deals with this difficult question?
§ Mr. MaxtonWill the Minister tell me how it is that, if no details are kept in this matter, so many sweeping charges are made against the men?
§ Captain PilkingtonThe details are kept for a very large number of firms, but not for ah of them.
§ Following is the statement:
| Percentages of Absenteeism. | |||
| Four weeks ending: | |||
| 7 Aug. 1942 | 4 Sept. 1942 | 2 Oct. 1942 | |
| Adult Males: | |||
| Normal working hours | 5.1 | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Weekday overtime | 22.0 | 18.1 | 21.2 |
| Sunday overtime | 9.1 | 7.4 | 8.2 |
| Youths and Boys: | |||
| Normal working hours | 7.5 | 6.0 | 4.9 |
| Weekday overtime | 40.0 | 32.5 | 36.0 |
| Sunday overtime | 20.0 | 14.7 | 15.0 |
| Females: | |||
| Normal working hours | 8.7 | 7.0 | 5.3 |
| Weekday overtime | 25.5 | 16.8 | 18.4 |
| Sunday overtime | 12.1 | 8.7 | 8.4 |