§ 49. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the European Volunteer Workers working at Carter and Parker, Limited, Yarn Manufacturers, Guiseley, live in a hostel and, having no household duties to perform in the evenings, have requested to be permitted to work additional overtime, but have been informed by the Factory Inspector that they cannot be permitted to do extra work; and, as this decision has deprived this country of knitting wools and yarn for export, if he will reconsider it.
§ Mr. IsaacsThis is one of the factories at which I have authorised an evening shift of part-time women to help in increasing output. I understand the firm recently sounded a factory inspector as to whether they could employ some women 1194 in accordance with the day-shift scheme and in the evening shift as well; but this would have meant allowing their employment for 13 working hours with a night interval of only 9½ hours and I do not think this is justified. The firm were, however, advised as to the overtime permissable for day-shift workers under the Factories Act.
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottThese work-people have asked to work longer hours, and is this not an example of where restricted practices by the Minister's Department are stopping production?
§ Mr. IsaacsNot in the least. If it is a fact that these people have asked to work these hours they should be protected from such unreasonably long hours.