§ 61. Mr. BARNESasked the Prime Minister, in view of the success of the Trades Boards Act in so far as it has been 1500 applied, and having regard to the need for its extension as proved by the disclosures brought to light by Sir Ernest Hatch's Report respecting the linen trades in Ireland, as well as by the Reports of Miss Irwin of the condition of the shirt-making industry, if he will take steps to facilitate such extension by setting up a separate Department of the Board of Trade or otherwise as he may find best calculated to get the operation of the Act as speedily as possible to the sweated industries of the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs my hon. Friend has already been informed by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, preliminary steps are being taken with a view to making a limited extension of the scope of the Schedule to the Trades Boards Act. This will involve a Provisional Order confirmed by Parliament, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that there will be no unnecessary delay. I may add that nothing in the way of wholesale application of the Act is contemplated at the present time, our view being that the success of the experiment largely depends on any extension being of a gradual and cautious nature.
§ Mr. BARNESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inquiry has extended over a period of twelve months; and is he satisfied with the rate of progress?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am never satisfied with the rate of progress. Having regard to the conditions which now prevail, it is not excessive.
Captain CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the prosperity of Belfast is greater in proportion than that of any other town in the country, and that there is less pauperism there than in any other town in the United Kingdom? [Am HON. MEMBER: "And more sweating."]
§ Mr. BARNESIs the Prime Minister aware that according to a Report just issued there are hundreds of women in Belfast earning about a halfpenny an hour?