HC Deb 06 May 1952 vol 500 c157
1. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now completed his review and will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's attitude on the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on Night Baking which reported in October, 1951, Command Paper No. 8378.

The Minister of Labour (Sir Walter Monckton)

Not yet, for this is a most complex subject, but I will make a statement at the earliest possible date.

Mr. Freeman

Can the Minister say when that will be? This matter has been before the House for very many years. Is this continual procrastination justified, because the Report deals with a legitimate grievance of a very large number of men?

Sir W. Monckton

I cannot give a date, but what I can say is this: I quite agree that the matter has engaged the attention of this House for upwards of 100 years. The Report was received in October, and the observations of the various interested people in the industry did not reach me until the middle of February. It has been necessary to consult other Government Departments and to collate their views, but we are getting on with the matter now.