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THE FACTORIES BILL.
9.
(Previous
Reference: Cabinet 4
(28). Con-
clusion 5(d).)
191
The Cabinet had before them the following
documents relating to the proposed Factories Bill:-
A Memorandum by the Home Secretary (Paper C.P.-234 (28)) covering the draft Bill; stating that as the result of a Conference with the Confederation of Employers' Organ- isations, the Home Office had been able to suggest modifications which would go a long way to meet the difficulties of the employers; reporting that, while the Employers' Organisations would not be able to accept everything in the Bill as it now stands and would feel bound to contest certain points in Committee. they did not propose to offer any concerted opposition to the Bill as a whole; stating his belief that the Employers would be glad to see it passed through during the currency of the present Par- liament; and strongly urging that the Bill should be proceeded with. One point on which the Cabinet's views were specially invited was Clause 68, on the subject of hour s in a working day, in regard to which alternatives were given in the draft
Bill:
A Memorandum by the Minister of Labour (Paper C.P.-257 (28)) on the subject of Hours of Labour.
The Cabinet were informed that the further
legislation to be introduced by the Minister of
Health in connection with the Rating Relief
Scheme was of so elaborate a nature that it would
not be possible, within the Parliamentary time
available in the coming Session, to deal with
both that measure and the Factories Bill.
Although much regret was expressed that it was
impossible to fulfil the pledges which had been
given in regard to the Factories Bill, the Cabinet
felt that their inability to carry this measure
would be realised when it is generally understood
that the continuance of unemployment on a large
scale had introduced a new factor since the
original pledges were given. It would generally
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