Clause 3.—(SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS.) (Hansard, 2 July 1954)

§ Mr. Watkinson
I beg to move, in page 4, line 6, to leave out from "the," to "a," in line 8, and to insert: requirements of the public immediately before or immediately after Sunday or the Jewish Sabbath. This Amendment deals with something which has come to light since the Committee sat, when we tried to meet the needs of the public on the Jewish Sabbath. We discovered that the drafting of this subsection was not very tidy and was restricted, and this is an atttempt to make it a little more flexible and a workable proposition.
There is one point which I want to make quite clear, because I agree with the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) that we must get these things on the record. This does not increase the total amount of night work which can be done under the Bill All it does is to give a little more flexibility in how the night work is used. It really 1719 arises from the fact that some small bakeries find it more convenient to use the extra night work allowed under the subsection not in advance of the weekend but perhaps on a Sunday night in order to meet the requirements of Monday's trade.
The only purpose is to provide extra flexibility. It was not a point that arose in Committee, but arose when we were discussing matters with both sides of the industry. I think that there is agreement, and that this will add flexibility to the Bill.

§ Mr. Isaacs
We accept the Minister's proposal. He said that it gives a little more flexibility. At the same time, we think that these words are also a little more definite. I am interested to see that the Amendment includes the words, "immediately before or immediately after." This will avoid some of the troubles that we thought would occur if an employer wants both before "and" after. We think that the Amendment meets the position, and we understand that it is also quite acceptable as far as Jewish bakeries are concerned.

§ Mr. Watkinson
I beg to move, in page 4, line 17, after "(3)." to insert: Without prejudice to the last foregoing subsection. We now come to another small group of Amendments arising from a request made particularly by my hon. Friend the Member for Banff (Mr. Duthie) in Committee that extra night work should be permitted during the whole of the night preceding a public holiday. When we discussed the matter with both sides of the industry, the only practical case that arose was that of Maundy Thursday. The alteration has necessitated this and the two following Amendments.
I think that the position was already covered under the Bill as drafted, but the Amendments make it clear beyond doubt that this night work is cumulative. There is again, therefore, a little more flexibility. When we explained the Bill as it was drafted to the employers, they agreed that it met their point, but Parliamentary counsel felt that we had better try to make assurance doubly certain, and that is what we are doing. The Amend 1720 ments were mentioned also to the trade unions, who raised no objection.