§ 7. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade if, to avoid the present variations in industry observing the industrial breaks at Christmas and the New Year, he will initiate discussions with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry on the possibilities of having an eight-day national holiday week covering Christmas to New Year's Day.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyThe question of the duration of the Christmas holiday period is a matter for negotiation between the employees and the 1293 employing firm. Any such negotiation should have the closest regard to the criteria of the incomes policy.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes my hon. Friend agree, however, that we as a party are in power to provide an expanded life and expanded luxury for workers—[Interruption.]—the anti-worker party is on the opposite side of the House—and that the gesture of a mid-winter holiday would be rewarded by an increase in productivity which would more than offset any days lost?
§ Mrs. DunwoodyI am grateful for my hon. Friend's views on what would lead to a rise in productivity, but I am sure he will accept that this is a matter that as yet must be decided by individual firms.
§ Mr. EmeryWill the hon. Lady, after dismissing the humour of the last supplementary question, consider whether it would not be more appropriate for her Department to try to do everything to encourage British people, whether management or workers, to take fewer unofficial holidays and increase the general productivity of industry?
§ Mrs. DunwoodyThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that this country, in spite of the sort of publicity various hon. Members insist on giving it, has a very good record in the number of days lost through strikes. It is not only up to individual workers but to management to see what they can do about productivity levels.