§ 51. Dr. Segalasked the Minister of Labour why the 6 to 10 p.m. evening shift for married women has been discontinued in certain Lancashire cotton mills; 521 and how many married women voluntary workers have been affected.
§ Mr. IsaacsEvening shifts were introduced at a number of cotton mills in Lancashire, primarily to deal with serious bottlenecks in production. Where such bottlenecks have been cleared the evening shifts have in some cases been discontinued. About 160 married women workers have been affected, some of whom have been assisted to obtain other part-time work in the mills. A large number of evening schemes are still being worked, and everything is being done to encourage employers to introduce evening and other part-time schemes wherever possible.
§ Dr. SegalDoes not the Minister still admit that there is a bottleneck somewhere; and is it not discouraging to many married women voluntary workers who are anxious to assist the Government in their export drive?
§ Mr. IsaacsI am not aware of the many married women who are anxious to take part-time work. All I know is that every effort is being made to induce factories to recommence this work, when sometimes temporarily they have had to discontinue it. We are most hopeful that it will be continued, because it is a most valuable contribution to production.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingIs the Minister aware that many married women in Lancashire would take up part-time work if there was extra nursery accommodation for children?
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, we are aware of that, and very considerable steps have been taken to provide that nursery accommodation. Many employers have co-operated splendidly in that work.