HC Deb 10 February 1947 vol 433 cc1380-1
56. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour if the Railway Clerks' Association was represented at the National Joint Advisory Council meeting which issued the statement in Cmd. No. 7018; and if he will make a statement on the association's demands for a 35-hour week and £1 wage increase.

Mr. Isaacs

The statement to which the hon. Member refers was issued by the Government, but with the endorsement of both sides of the National Joint Advisory Council, which consist respectively of members representing the Trades Union Congress and the British Employers' Confederation. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "No, Sir."

Mr. Osborne

Does the Minister think that in our present economic crisis the country can afford a 35-hour week?

Mr. Isaacs

It is not a matter of what I think. [HON. MEMBERS: "0h."] If negotiations are going on between a trade union and employers it would be quite wrong for the Minister of Labour, who ultimately may be called upon to negotiate between the two parties, to say what he thinks.

Mr. Percy Morris

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House that the claim represents an effort to introduce order where chaos now prevails, and is in respect of the hours of employment of clerical and administrative workers in the railway services of this country, which have resulted in huge withdrawals from the services?