§ 43. Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the laundry industry objects to the Fifth Schedule of the Trade Boards Provisional Order Bill (No. 139), whereby calendering and machine ironing departments in steam laundries are brought 2181 under the Trade Boards Act, 1909; that the industry repudiates the suggestion that an appreciable proportion of its employés receive a sweated wage, resents the establishment of an invidious and unjustifiable distinction between steam and hand laundries, affirms that its operations are carried on under thoroughly hygienic conditions, appeals for due notice and investigation instead of sudden and surreptitious inclusion, and maintains that no interference is necessary, as work and hours are regulated by the Factory Acts, wages are good, and relations between employer and employed are entirely satisfactory; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)The Federation of Laundry Associations, who have petitioned against the Bill so far as it relates to the confirmation of the Order with respect to calendering and machine ironing in steam laundries, will have a full opportunity of presenting their case before the Select Committee of this House, which has been appointed to consider the matter.