HC Deb 02 December 1937 vol 329 cc2267-8W
Mr. Day

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give the number of industrial employés at present in the service of the Government at home and abroad; and the number of these employés who are entitled to at least one week's leave with pay each year?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

The number of industrial employés in the service of the Government at home stations on 1st April, 1937, the latest date for which statistics are available, was approximately 173,000. Apart from Forestry Commission workers, numbering about 4,000, who are dealt with in the light of agricultural practice, the industrial employés of the Government are, in general, eligible for not less than six days' annual leave with pay (in addition to certain public holidays with pay) provided that they have served a qualifying period of 12 months.

As regards industrial employés abroad, no exact statistics are available, but it is estimated that the total number of such employés is in the neighbourhood of 30,000 of whom about 700 are workmen sent out from this country, while the remainder are local entrants. The workmen sent out from this country are, like the general body of workmen at home, allowed at least six days' holiday with pay in addition to certain public holidays. Locally entered workmen normally receive certain public holidays only.