HC Deb 10 July 1969 vol 786 cc1556-8
14. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what studies she has undertaken of the increases in output to be achieved by legislation to enable women to work overnight shifts in industry and commerce; what is her estimate of the number of women willing to undertake nightwork; if she will take steps to give women this freedom; and if she will make a statement.

22. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement about her policy regarding night and shift working for women.

Mr. Fernyhough

The restrictions on night and shift working for women in factories are under review at present following the Report of the Working Party of the National Joint Advisory Council which was published at the beginning of March. Consultations are now going on between officials of my Department and the various interests concerned. The restrictions do not extend to commerce.

Mr. Roberts

Will my hon. Friend accept that, whereas the great majority of women would not wish to work at night and the great majority of us would not wish to see them working at night, legislation which discriminates in this way on sexual grounds is completely Victorian and has no place in 1969 society?

Mr. Fernyhough

I might be a bit of a square in relation to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, but I ask him to accept that it will not be easy to secure complete unanimity on this matter among all those who have a right to be consulted before the existing law is changed. Consultations are taking place, and we shall take account of what the various people have to say before we make a decision about whether to change the law.

Mr. Allaun

In those consultations has not the T.U.C. opposed it, certainly until equal pay and special security provisions have been obtained? As one who has had a belly-full of night work in two industries, I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that many of us regard it as outrageous for women and consider that production and profit should not be put before all human needs.

Mr. Fernyhough

The existing law is that they can work nights in factories only provided that an exemption is obtained, and exemption is granted only on the basis of increased efficiency and production and provided that the women are willing. This is not imposed on unwilling women workers, and I cannot imagine that it will ever be so in future because no employer will introduce night work for women if it means that his factory is stopped in consequence.