§ 26. Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that men who did not report for work at the ordnance depot, Slaithwaite, on VE-Day minus one have not been paid wages for either VE-Day or VE-Day plus one, notwithstanding the Government's announcement that this would be done; and if he will remedy this.
Sir J. GriģģA number of industrial employees at this depot who were absent from their work both on the day preceding the VE holidays and on the day following the holidays did not receive pay for the holidays. This was in accordance with the ordinary conditions applicable to paid holidays as agreed with the Trade Unions representing War Department civilian employees. I see no reason for varying these conditions of service in favour of employees who absented themselves without good reason on the day following the holidays, but as it was not known before the evening of 7th May that the next two days would be holidays instructions are being issued that any employees absent only on the day preceding the VE holidays should be paid wages for the holidays.
§ Mr. HallIt is rather hard on men who, through no fault of their own, were absent. Perhaps they overdid it on VE-day but surely, if others were entitled to pay, they, too, were entitled.
Sir J. GriģģI am told that the general rule is arrived at in agreement with the trade unions concerned. Where it is reasonably clear that absence was not prearranged and that it was not taking French leave, pay will be issued, but in those cases where it is pretty clear that absence Was not involuntary the ordinary rule would apply.