§ Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet decided to appoint a date for ending the war period under the Restoration of Pre-War Trade Practices Act, 1942.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. On the advice of the Joint Consultative Committee of the National Joint Advisory Council I have decided to appoint a day some time in December, 1947, as the end of the war period for the purposes of this Act. The necessary Order will be made in due course. Employers will then be under an obligation to restore or permit the restoration of a trade practice not later than two months after the appointed day and to maintain or permit the continuance of the trade practice for a further 18 months. The only exceptions to this obligation provided by the Act are where the trade practice has been modified or waived by joint agreement or by arbitration. It is, therefore, essential that the two sides of any industry affected should consider this matter with a view to agreement on any point arising. The Act was passed in pursuance of a pledge to the trade unions that trade practices relaxed for the purposes of the war effort would be fully restored. In making this announcement honouring that pledge I wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution to the war effort made by the trade unions in agreeing to these relaxations.