§ 20. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the majority of persons employed in the Lancashire cotton industry are females, he considered the domestic, social and physical implications involved before he recommended the introduction of double shift working in that industry.
§ Captain WaterhouseAn extension of double shift working is recommended on the ground that without it the expense of installing modern machinery in many cases would not be justified. This recommendation is, of course, designed to benefit operatives as well as employers. There is no question of expecting all workers to change to this method of working without regard to their domestic, social and physical circumstances.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think it is a very grave matter indeed for a Government Department to suggest de-grading the conditions of employment, especially of women workers?
§ Captain WaterhouseThere is no question of de-grading the conditions of anybody, but it is absolutely essential that expensive machinery should be used to the best advantage.
§ Mr. BurkeSeeing that operatives for one shift cannot be obtained, how does the Minister propose to get operatives for two shifts?
§ Captain WaterhouseWhen the war ends, I hope there will be operatives for both shifts.
§ Sir Frank SandersonIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the introduction of the double shift principle is one of the most practical propositions which he has put forward?