§ 30. Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress he has made in moving towards the 35-hour week throughout British industry.
§ Mr. Harold Walker:In April 1978, the latest date for which comprehensive figures are available, average weekly 100W normal basic hours for full-time men aged 21 and over were 38.8 and for full-time women aged 18 and over 37.0. The Government have stated in Cmnd. 7293 that they can accept a reduction in hours as part of a normal pay settlement on condition that it is demonstrated that the settlement as a whole does not lead to any increase in unit costs above what would have resulted from a straight guideline settlement on pay.