§ 49. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to prevent the abandonment of Saturday morning work in the Yorkshire coalfield, because of the high absenteeism of the underground workers, and the consequent uneconomic running of the pits on Saturdays.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)The whole question of extra working hours is engaging the attention of the two sides of the industry, and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene.
§ Mr. OsborneWould the right hon. Gentleman consider, if the men in this particular coalfield dislike Saturday morning work, inducing them to work an extra half hour daily in the five-day week to get production at the right price?
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is not so much a matter of inducement at the moment. There are exchanges going on. Some men who have chosen Saturday work are preferring now the alternative of working half an hour extra each day.
§ Mr. MurrayIs my right hon. Friend aware that it has been proved on many occasions that work for an extra half hour 520 daily through the week is very much better than Saturday morning work?
§ Mr. ScollanIs my right hon. Friend aware that the statement in the Question that there is "high absenteeism" is not true?
§ Mr. OsborneIt is.
§ Mr. ScollanIt is not.