ON THIS DAY

FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE MAY 3, 1956

THE Cabinet has been considering Britain’s first ‘automation’ strike of 11,000 workers of the Standard Motor Company in Coventry. The Prime Minister, Anthony Eden, takes a grave view of the effects on the economy. The dispute is recognised as a test case involving Britain’s workers in industrial plants, who fear the challenge of the ‘robot age’ threatens their jobs.

MAY 3, 1958

THE Government should introduce a ‘paternity grant’ so that husbands could take time off from work to run the home when a new baby arrives. This suggestion was cheered at the health congress at Eastbourne. [Paid paternity leave — lasting two weeks — was introduced in 2003.]