HC Deb 14 December 1948 vol 459 c121W
87. Mr. Erroll

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the fact that the introduction of two-shift working was made one of the conditions of qualifying for the Government's financial contribution to the re-equipment of the cotton spinning industry, why he has not insisted on double-shift working when approving grants for modernisation schemes.

Mr. Bottomley

Employers organisations and trade unions in the cotton spinning industry have agreed in principle to the introduction of two-shift working as and when mills were progressively modernised, or, in the case of one trade union, have agreed not to oppose its introduction. This acceptance of the principle involved enabled the Government to put their modernisation plans into effect. It is, however, for the individual mills concerned to decide, in the light of their circumstances and in consultation with their operatives, when to introduce two-shift working.