§ Mr. W. GREENWOODasked the Minister of Labour the hours of labour per week in the cotton industry in the various countries of Europe where cotton-spinning and manufacturing is carried on?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe normal full-time weekly hours of labour in the cotton industry in Great Britain, agreed upon by the employers' and workers' organisations, are 48, but organised short time is being worked in the section of the industry engaged in spinning American cotton, and the weekly hours actually worked in that section are generally 35 at the present time. As regards other European countries the information available as to the legal maximum hours in this industry is summarised below. Information is not available as to the extent to which short time is being worked at present in these countries.
1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924, showing the number of persons affected and the loss or increase in weekly wages in each year?
2265W
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDSuch statistics as are available are published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for January, 1925, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member.