§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that the narrow definition given to the term pivotal worker is likely to cause dislocation in the trades affected by the new call-up; that it will lead to the closing of many businesses, especially of the smaller types; and whether he will modify this definition so that grounds of exceptional hardship may be taken into account in assessing an employer's claim that a woman is a pivotal worker;
(2) whether he will take steps to see that employers are made fully aware of 637W their rights under the calling-up regulations, especially in regard to reference to local sub-committees of local employment committees, and subsequently to hardship committees; and whether he will give instructions, both to his local officers and to hardship committees, that full consideration be given to claims of hardship by the employer as well as by the employee?
§ Mr. BevinWith the permission of my hon. and gallant Friend I will answer these Questions together, since both relate to the revised arrangements for the withdrawal of women from the retail (non-food) distributive trades, which I announced in the House on the 17th December in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Holland-with-Boston (Mr. Butcher). The opportunity to allege grounds of hardship on their own behalf or on behalf of their employers is given to all the employees concerned and does not depend on whether their work is defined as pivotal. The workers may, if they so desire, be accompanied by their employers at the hearing by the local appeal board. If an employer can show that a woman is a pivotal worker in the sense that her withdrawal would result in the closing down of his business or branch of business, he will be allowed a period, not exceeding six months, within which to find a substitute or make such other readjustments as are necessary. I am satisfied that these arrangements, which I have made after consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, will enable essential distribution to be maintained. A comprehensive statement of these revised arrangements has been issued to the trade associations concerned for publication in the trade Press.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that local offices of his Ministry are attaching a condition to the postponement of the calling-up of women in the distributive trades to the effect that, if a longer period of deferment than three months is granted to women claimed as pivotal workers, an undertaking shall be given by the employer that at the end of the longer period, further stated not to exceed six months, the business or branch involved will definitely close down; and whether he will have this instruction withdrawn?
§ Mr. BevinNo, Sir. No instructions authorising this procedure have been638W issued and I shall be glad to inquire into any case of which my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars.