Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Labour how many industries have contracts of employment for manual workers; and what is the usual period?
§ Mr. BevinI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the period of notice of termination of engagement usual in written or implied contracts of service of manual workers. Detailed information is not available, but in so far as the period of notice is laid down in trade agreements they normally apply to particular occupations or localities and variously provide for notice of either one hour or a week. In establishments scheduled under an Essential Work Order one week's notice must be given except in cases of alleged serious misconduct.