§ 31. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will initiate a series or urgent studies into the possible job creation benefits arising from the introduction of a shorter working week in manufacturing industry; and if he will consider joint CBI-TUC discussion of a compensatory payment scheme for consequential loss of earnings in those instances where the introduction of shorter hours has proved to create new jobs.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Government, and their partners in the OECD and490W EEC, are already examing a number of ways of creating more job opportunities including a shorter working week and which are consistent with its general economic aims. It would be premature at this stage to consider a compensatory payment scheme.