§ Mr. HUNTasked whether in view of the fact that, where an employed person receives board and lodging from his employer, the employer is liable for the whole contribution where no wages are paid, whilst in the case of foreign waiters receiving no wages the employer will recover 4d., or a less sum, per week from the foreign waiter, he can say from what source the 4d. a week, or some less amount, is to be extracted from the foreign waiter to whom no wages are paid; and is this regulation intended to give a preference to British and Irish waiters?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI think it will be convenient if I explain the whole matter to the hon. Member. When wages are paid, the employer can recover the 4d. by deduction from the wages. Where no wages are paid and no money remuneration is received from any other source, the employer must bear the full contribution himself. When wages are not paid by the employer but the employé is paid by other persons, as in the case of taxi-cab drivers and frequently of waiters, the provision of the Third Schedule will apply for the recovery of the contributions which the employé ought to pay. I can assure the hon. Member that foreign and 1394 British waiters will be upon exactly the same footing under similar circumstances.
§ Mr. HUNTAre we to understand that waiters who receive no wages have the 4d. extracted out of their tips when the public are kind enough to give them?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI have read a very carefully prepared answer. Perhaps the hon. Member will do me the favour to read that answer. I think he will find the answer to the question put by him.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCould the right hon. Gentleman say what happens when the waiter pays for his services?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThat is certainly covered by my answer, because a waiter may pay a small sum for a large amount of tips. He often does.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONDoes it not seem a distinct inducement to foreign waiters to come over to England?
Mr. McKINNON WOODNo; I cannot in the least follow the argument of the hon. Member. It seems to me, if the foreign and British waiters have to pay or not pay on exactly the same terms, there will be no inducement to the foreign waiter more than exists at the present time.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see——
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order. It is not a matter for argument.