§ 12. Mrs. Hardieasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Messrs. Barr and Stroud, Glasgow, lock out workers who are 15 minutes late; that many workers have to travel long distances and cannot always get on omnibuses; and will he take steps to have this practice stopped which hinders production and is unfair to the workers concerned?
§ Mr. BevinI am informed that an agreement was reached in April, 1943, between the management of Messrs. Barr and Stroud and workers' representatives under which the gates are closed at 8.15 a.m. and 1.45 p.m. It is understood that the agreement has been working satisfactorily since that date and that provision is made in it for workers being allowed entry if late through transport difficulties.
§ Mrs. HardieIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my information from his own Department is that no provision or allowance is made because of transport difficulties? If the workers are not there at 8.15, they are locked out, and some workers have to travel distances of from 5 to 15 miles to reach their work. There is a case of one man who arrived at 8.18 and who had forgotten to bring the proper document that he should have done, and he asked to be allowed to bring it the next day, but still he was locked out. Will the right hon. Gentleman not make some other arrangements?