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asked the Minister of Labour the sequel to the circulation last summer, on the suggestion of the National Joint Advisory Council, of the memorandum on double-shift working; and if he will give a list of the industries to which the memorandum was sent.
My letter about double-shift working invited 110 organisations of employers and workers in selected industries to consider whether there might be scope for an extension of the system at establishments where conditions were appropriate. While the letter did not ask for a specific answer a number of organisations have replied expressing acceptance of the principle of double-shift working though its use or extension must be dependent on local agreement and local industrial conditions.
I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend a list of the organisations to which my letter was addressed.Does my right hon. and learned Friend contemplate taking any further action at all in connection with this matter?
Yes, I am constantly urging the use of double-shift working in appropriate cases, but it is a matter on which one has to go slow. In many cases and many places there are disadvantages which have to be taken into account.