On This Day, 22 November 1918

Birmingham Daily Post

Friday 22 November 1918

INSTRUCTIONS THAT CONTRACTS ARE NOT TO BE CANCELLED

In the House of Commons yesterday Mr. William Thorne asked the Minister of Munitions if he could state how many men and women were now under notice to leave their employment at the various shipyards, munition factories, and controlled firms; whether efforts were being made to find them employment elsewhere, and if the Government were considering the advisability of getting the men and women to work until after Christmas with the full rate of pay.

Mr. Bridgeman (Secretary, Labour Ministry) said that no precise information could be given at present. His right hon. friend had issued instructions that, except in extreme cases, contracts were not to be cancelled, and that full consideration was to be given to the position of the workpeople involved.

Mr. Tyson Wilson: Can the hon. gentleman say whether his department has considered the advisability of working these factories either shorter hours or a five-day week so as to give employment to the people really requiring it?

Mr. Bridgeman: Yes, that is being considered.