§ 30. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the effects of night and shift work amongst many workers, particularly on health and domestic happiness; and if he will state the number engaged on such work compared with ten years ago, together with other relevant information.
§ Mr. GodberI am not aware that shift work either by day or by night has any significant effects on health, although it can have some social disadvantages; against these must be set the economic benefits resulting from the more productive use of equipment. An inquiry carried out by my Department in 1954 and covering manufacturing and certain other industries showed that about 670,000 out of 5½ million manual workers in these industries were employed on shift work. I regret that later information is not available.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the Minister aware that the first part of his reply is contradicted by the Medical Research Council's Report of 1963, which showed that 42 per cent. of the men interviewed were unable to get enough sound sleep during the day and many suffered from loss of appetite, upset digestion or, in some cases, complete breakdown? As night work and shift work are spreading, will he set up a new inquiry to consider the facts?
§ Mr. GodberI am prepared to consider that. However, it must be recognised that in certain industries a degree of this kind of working is inevitable. It is a question of the amount of supervision, and possibly medical supervision, which ought to take place as a safeguard 25 against the things to which the hon. Gentleman referred.
§ Mr. AllaunI thank the Minister for that sympathetic reply, and I hope that he will go further into this matter. Is he aware, however, that many of these efficiency wallahs are bursting with enthusiasm about night work, but they would think very differently if they had to do it themselves?
§ Mr. GodberI appreciate what the hon. Gentleman says. We sometimes have to experience night work in the House.