§ Sir K. WOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has received any representation from the Stores, Royal Air Force Department, at Kidbrooke, in relation to the new conditions concerning a week's holiday with pay; whether it is proposed to give employés remuneration for Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, and the King's birthday; and whether he can make a statement generally on the matter?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIn connection with the grant for the first time of a week's paid leave to industrial employés, it was decided that only five paid public holidays should be allowed in future. This involved a reduction from eight to five in944W the number of paid public holidays allowed to Air Ministry employés. Representations have been received asking for the retention of the eight paid public holidays in addition to the week's paid leave, but it has not been possible to alter the decision, which is a general Government decision applicable to all Government industrial establishments alike. I would point out that under these decisions the employés in question now receive 11 days paid leave in comparison to the eight days which they previously enjoyed. The question of which should be the five authorised paid public holidays in future has been made the subject of discussion with the employés' representatives on the Whitley Committees, but, so far as Kidbrooke Depot is concerned, no decision has yet been reached.