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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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