Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 4th July, 1947
Double Day-Shift Working (Report)
asked the Minister of Labour when the Report of the Committee on Double Day-Shift Working is to be published.
The Report of this Committee, which was set up in March, 1945, is being published by His Majesty's Stationery Office today.The Government have given most earnest consideration to this Report. They agree with the view taken in the Report that, if we are to maintain and improve our standard of living without widespread increases in the working hours of individuals, there will have to be much more double day-shift working.The Government also agree with the Committee that the workers will not accept the system unless they are convinced that its social inconveniences to themselves can and will be offset as far as possible by compensating benefits. The more people there are working on the system in any area, the less the social disadvantages will tend to be; and the Government endorse the view of the Committee that every, effort should be made to adjust social and educational services to meet the needs of double day-shift workers.At present, with certain special exceptions, shift working by workers other than adult males is prohibited by the Factory Acts unless it is specially authorised by the Minister of Labour and National Service for a particular factory. It is, therefore, necessary to consider how the Factory Acts could be modified so that they do not hamper industrial planning of production on a two-shift basis, or hinder the progressive recognition of shift working as a normal arrangement. The Government are not satisfied that it is necessary to retain in full the present legal obstacles to the adoption of the double day-shift system, provided of course that adequate power is retained to ensure that proper protection is afforded for the health and welfare of persons employed on the system. The Government accordingly propose to consult the National Joint Advisory Council on this matter and also on the question of the morning and evening time limits within which the system should be made legal. The latter point is important because the economic advantages of double day-shift working are derived, in the main, from the longer hours for which plant can be worked.
Public Health
Water Supply, Denham
asked the Minister of Health what plans have been made to instal a water supply for the village of Denham, near Diss, Norfolk.
The Hartismere Rural District Council have prepared a comprehensive scheme for providing water supplies to a number of villages, including Denham, and the details are now under discussion with the East Suffolk County Council.
Executive Councils, Durham And North Riding
asked the Minister of Health what are the names of the members of the executive councils to be set up under the National Health Service Act for County Durham and North Riding, Yorkshire.
I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the members of the Executive Council for Durham County. The Council for the North Riding is not yet complete.
Opencast Coal (Quality)
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that 80 per cent of the 75 tons of opencast coal supplied each week to the Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society during the two past months has been entirely unsuitable for domestic use; and if he will take steps to ensure that burnable opencast coal is provided.
I have had inquiries made and am advised that a proportion of this coal is of a hard type which, although not of poor quality, is not suitable for all types of domestic grates. Further investigation is being made into the matter but in the meanwhile supplies of this coal to the Society have been discontinued as from 1st July and are being replaced by opencast coal from another site.
National Insurance (Widow's Pension)
asked the Minister of National Insurance when a decision will be reached regarding the issue of a widow's pension to Mrs. M. V. Ward, 39, Howards Lane, Putney, reference 15661554, whose husband died in December, 1946, and who is in urgent need.
I am making inquiries into this case and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
British Guiana (Fire Brigade, Georgetown)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to obtain adequate equipment and staff for the Georgetown, British Guiana, Fire Brigade; and what assistance is being given by the Government to those whose losses are not covered by insurance.
An experienced Fire Brigade Officer has been appointed from the United Kingdom. New equipment is already on order, and more is about to be ordered. I have no information regarding the last part of the Question, but I will make inquiries of the Governor.
Germany (Ex-Wehrmacht Members Pensions)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to give any further information about the pensions of disabled former members of the Wehrmacht.
Yes, Sir. With effect from 1st August, 1947, pensions for disabled former members of the Wehrmacht, and for their widows and orphans, will be granted in the British zone under the Industrial Accident Scheme instead of the Invalidity Scheme as at present. This step will result in a substantial improvement in the lot of this class of pensioner.
New Periodicals (Circulation Overseas)
asked the President of the Board of Trade if new periodicals approved for overseas circulation by the Advisory Committee he has set up under Lord Layton, will be permitted to have reasonable circulations in this country, so as to prevent any growth of feeling that they may be purely propaganda for external consumption.
This new periodical is intended for circulation overseas; though we can ill afford additional paper for the circulation of periodicals in the home market, I will bear my hon. Friend's point in mind.
Tin Exports (Dollar Earnings)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many dollars have been earned by the production and export of tin from Great Britain and the tin-producing parts of the Empire since the conclusion of Lend-Lease; and if he will give an indication of how many dollars it is anticipated will be earned from this source during the current financial year and the succeeding financial year, respectively.
Twenty-three million dollars up to the end of June, 1947. No useful estimate of future earnings can be made.