§ 3.6 p.m.
§ Amendment reported (according to Order).
§ Clause 6 [Provision of seats]:
§
THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HALL) moved to omit subsection (1) and all words from the beginning of subsection (2) down to and including the first "and," and to insert in lieu thereof:
(1) The following provisions of this section shall be substituted for those contained in section forty-four of the principal Act (which requires facilities for sitting during opportunities for resting to be provided for all female workers whose work is done standing).
(2) Where any employed persons have in the course of their employment reasonable opportunities for sitting without detriment to their work, there shall be provided and maintained for their use suitable facilities for sitting sufficient to enable them to take advantage of those opportunities.
(3).
§ The noble Viscount said: My Lords, we have been giving further consideration to the drafting of Section 4 of the Factories Act as it would be amended by Clause 6 (1) of this Bill. The widely varying circumstances of industry often make it impossible to do more than frame a provision in wide general terms. The wording of the amending clause, however, appears to be unnecessarily vague and to be open to some misunderstanding. His Majesty's Government now suggest that it would be better if that wording were amended to read as in the proposed new subsections on the Order Paper. The Amendment I am now moving indicates more clearly the idea underlying the proposal—namely, that where, having regard to the nature of the work, there are reasonable opportunities for a workman to rest, provision should be made to enable this to be done. I trust that your Lordships will agree that this is an improvement and will accept the Amendment. I beg to move.
§
Amendment moved—
Page 5, line 12, leave out from beginning to ("where") in line 18 and insert the said new subsections.—(Viscount Hall.)
§ On Question, Amendment agreed to.
§ Then, Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended (pursuant to Resolution of May 6), Bill read 3ª and passed, and sent to the Commons.