HC Deb 21 December 1976 vol 923 c153W
5. Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the level of overtime working in manufacturing industry.

Mr. Harold Walker

The latest statistics are for the week which ended on 11th September, and they show that overtime in that week was a good deal lower than that worked in September 1973 and 1974, but the trend in 1976 seems to be upward. To the extent that this indicates recovery from recession, I welcome it, but I should, of course, have preferred to see less overtime and more recruitment of labour.