Paid Sick Leave Scheme

HC Deb 30 July 1951 vol 491 cc138-9W

88. Mr. Molson

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will now make a statement upon the discussions he has inaugurated with the trade unions regarding the increase in the amount of absence owing to alleged sickness subsequent to the introduction of the Industrial Paid Sick Leave Scheme in September, 1948; and whether any conclusions have been reached.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

The only discussions which I have inaugurated have been with the trade unions represented on my Ministry's Joint Industrial Council and have been confined to the increased sick absence in Ministry of Supply Establishments. No conclusion has been reached about the extent, if any, to which the increase is due to reasons other than genuine sickness. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the same subject on 24th July.