§ 61. Mr. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a workshop mechanic working at the National Physical Laboratory with 10 years' service and £6 18s. a week wage, with only one week's leave and no sick pay or extra privileges, has been refused the additional six days' leave with pay to help with harvesting, which is being offered to the scientific officers who receive £600 to £700 a year with six weeks' leave, plus sick leave and other privileges; and what steps he proposes to take to abolish this distinction within the Civil Service and to encourage the lower-paid workers to help with the harvest.
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, but I am glad to announce that arrangements have now been completed for the extension of the harvesting leave scheme to Government industrial employees.
§ Mr. OsborneMight I ask the Minister when this announcement was made, because my complaint reached me only two or three days ago; and in view of the great importance of getting in the harvest will he do everything possible to release these men?
§ Mr. DaltonYes we are most anxious to do it. This is the first year in which it has been possible. During the war years it was evidently not so easy. This is a new announcement which will operate forthwith, and this is the first occasion on which it has been made.