HC Deb 01 August 1916 vol 85 cc49-51W
Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is in a position to make a statement on behalf of the Government about the extra rates of wages to be paid to all those men and women who will be called upon to work on August Bank Holiday?

Dr. ADDISON

This question has been carefully considered by a Committee under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, in consultation with representatives of the workmen and of the employers. The Committee recommended as follows in regard to all persons engaged on munitions work:

"(1) IN CASES WHERE AGREEMENTS EXIST.

Workmen employed on any holidays in August or later (including August Bank Holiday) in respect of which there are standing customs or agreements for the payment of special rates, shall be paid at such special rates.

Note.—This to be understood subject to the fact that where special rates of pay have already been given in respect of days of holidays already postponed, no further special rates shall be paid on any further postponement of the holidays.

(2) CASES WHERE NO AGREEMENT EXISTS.

  1. (a) Where August Bank Holiday has been a recognised holiday workmen employed on that day will be paid at a rate of a quarter over and above the rate for all the hours worked, including the existing rates and allowances for overtime and night shift.
  2. (b) Where Whit-Monday has been a recognised holiday workmen employed on Tuesday, 8th August (the day substituted for Whit-Monday), that day will, in the case of firms which worked but did not pay special rates on Whit-Monday, be paid at a rate of a quarter over and above the rate for all the hours worked on 8th August, including the existing rates and allowances for overtime and night shift."
These recommendations have been accepted by me and instructions have been issued accordingly to all controlled establishments. It is hoped that uncontrolled establishments engaged on munitions work will fall in, so far as possible, with the foregoing recommendations.

As regards such uncontrolled establishments undertaking work for the Ministry of Munitions, Admiralty, or War Office, those Departments will be prepared to consider cases where clear hardship arises owing to the extra expenditure involved in paying enhanced wages in respect of postponed holidays.