Lieut-Colonel THORNEasked the First Commissioner of Works by what arrangement with the trade unions concerned the men who commence work before the usual starting time must leave work earlier in order to avoid overtime; if he is aware that the conditions of all trade unions are that if any man commences work before the usual starting time it is counted as overtime; and with what trade unions such arrangements were made?
§ Sir ALFRED MONDI presume the hon. Member refers to the negotiations which have recently taken place between my Department and certain trade unions with regard to the hours of men. working in these buildings who are required at times to commence work at 6 a.m. It has now been arranged that the men in question shall work a forty-seven-hour week, overtime rate being paid in respect of any portion of that time worked between 6 and 7.30 a.m.