HC Deb 08 July 1943 vol 390 c2227
7. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give, up to date, figures showing the number of work-people now enjoying holidays with pay; how many are manual workers; and of those how many are persons employed in and around coalmines?

Mr. Bevin

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not readily available.

Mr. Davies

In considering this problem, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to bear in mind that the tendency always is to provide holidays with pay for non-manual workers, while manual workers somehow or other are left out of consideration by employers?

Mr. Bevin

I do not accept that view, because the majority of trades are now covered by agreements for holidays with pay, and certainly all the trade board trades.

Mr. Davies

Are the miners, who do the most arduous manual work of all, included in holidays with pay?

Mr. Bevin

I understand there is an agreement between the Miners Federation of Great Britain and the mining industry which provides for holidays.

Mr. George Griffiths

Is it not a fact that although miners are provided with holidays they really come out of their wages? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes.

Mr. Holdsworth

So do my holidays.

Mr. Bevin

Payment for holidays or anything else is bound to come out of production somehow.