63. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power, if he is aware that some of the statistics on output and absenteeism issued by the public relations officers of his Department since the five-day week began have been based on comparisons with the output of previous weeks and others with the output in the same week of the previous year; and if he will see that the comparisons are on a uniform basis.
§ Mr. ShinwellNo, Sir. I personally have given statements on output in the weeks ended 10th May and 17th May which included comparative figures, both for the preceding weeks and for the corresponding weeks of last year. I also gave certain details of absenteeism in the week ended 10th May with comparative figures for the preceding week, for last year and for certain earlier years. It is the general practice of my Department to give comparisons both with preceding periods and the corresponding periods in previous years.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not a fact that the public relations officers in the right hon. Gentleman's Department are not in every case comparing like with like, and is it not further the fact that it is very undesirable to have so much propaganda at public expense?
§ Mr. ShinwellI think that we have given a great deal of information and many statistics on this matter.