§ Mr. CLYNESasked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the dispute at present taking place in the finishing processes of the machine-made lace trade at Nottingham, whereby numbers of home workers are being denied employment by certain employers and middlewomen because of refusal to contract out of the minimum rate of wages equivalent of 2¾d. an hour fixed by the Trade Board; and whether, seeing that such action on the part of these employers and middlewomen is prejudicial to other employers who are loyally paying the 577 rates fixed by the Board, he will say what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
Mr. BUXTONThe circumstances mentioned in my hon. Friend's question have been brought to my attention. The minimum rates of wages fixed by the Trade Board cannot be made obligatory by the Board of Trade until the expiration of at least six months from the date on which they were fixed, and until the rates are made obligatory there is no power under the Trade Boards Act to prevent employers paying lower rates to any workers who agree in writing to accept them.
§ Mr. CLYNESMight I draw the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to that point in the question which says these home workers are being denied employment by certain employers and middle-women because of their refusal to contract out of the minimum rate of wages fixed by the Trade Boards?
§ Mr. CLYNESDoes the right hon. Gentleman think the Act requires Amendment in that respect?