§ Captain R. TERRELLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any understanding between the Treasury and the Civil Service that the working day is, apart from the luncheon interval, one of six hours only; and, if not, whether, in these days when the Government is urging the community to greater effort in the various walks of life, he will consider the introduction into the service of a seven-hours' day, exclusive of luncheon time, or a 38½ hours' week?
2090W
Mr. YOUNGIn accordance with the recommendations of the Reorganisation Committee of the National Whitley Council, which were accepted by the Government, a seven-hour day has been fixed for the general clerical and administrative classes employed in London headquarter offices. The hours of attendance are inclusive of luncheon interval, which is to be normally three-quarters of an hour, but may be extended to an hour in special cases of difficulty. In the case of other classes a longer working week is normally prescribed. It should also be borne in mind that classes entitled to overtime pay are paid only for attendance in excess of 42 hours a week, a stricter rule than that generally in force before the Reorganisation Committee reported. As already stated, in reply to previous questions, a great deal of unpaid overtime is being worked at the present time, and I do not see my way to varying the present arrangement which was approved by the Government as an integral part of the general scheme of reorganisation.
§ Captain TERRELLasked the Minister of Labour whether there are any industries or trade and, if so, what, in which a six-hours' day, exclusive of luncheon hour, only is worked?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAmong manual wage-earners the normal working time, exclusive of meal times, generally exceeds six hours daily, except on Saturday; and although cases are known, for example, among certain classes of tin plate workers and heavy cable workers at some works, in which a six-hour day is worked, these cases are exceptional. As regards clerical workers and salaried employés, the information at my disposal is not sufficient to enable me safely to generalise.