Labourite Would Put Case For Longer Week

Chronicle (Levin), 8 October 1949, Page 5

Labourite Would Put Case For Longer Week

Received Friday, 8.50 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 7. Mr. Jack Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, who said at Bradford that he was prepare'" . to put a case to Cabinet for a five and a half day week in order to stimulate production, made it plain in a further statement at Leeds that in supporting a five and a half day week he was ex.pressing. his personal opinion and not that of the Government. "The views I expressed were not the result of any Cabinet decision. They were mine. I would, however, be very disappointed if the Government did not support me on~4Ws question, but I ara certain they will," said Mr. Jones. "Our greatest need is to persuade the workers to put in a few hours overtime when conditions pennit. The urgency of overtime working is so great that we must get it at all costs. But the working of extra hours must be seeured through consiitutional channels-— tlirough the unions and the T.U.C. "It is much better to face up to a little sacrifice now than to find there is not much left for anyone in 10 or 15 years' time." Mr. Jones, who worked for 32 years as a steol, smelter, is noted for his outspokeuness and for the realism with which he has dealt with industrial problems since he becaine a junior Minister. On his tours of factories in all parts of the country he has frequently criticised restrictive practices and appealed for a better spirit among the discontented trades unioaists.