§ 15. Mr. BRIANTasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the fact that an applicant for relief to the Lambeth Board of Guardians was employed in home work on stringing cotton bags, for which the rate of pay was 2s. 3d. per 1,000, and that the employer has admitted the correctness of this rate, and that the person concerned has earned at the rate of 2s.9frac34;d per week; and if he will order an inquiry to be made into the conditions and wages of the cotton bag-making industry, with a view to placing it under the operations of the Trades Boards Act and preventing the sweating now existing?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir R. Horne)My attention has not previously been called to the particular case referred to in the question, but I have already instituted inquiries into the conditions prevailing in certain textile making-up industries, including sack and bag making, with a view to the application of the Trades Boards Acts, if the inquiries show that course to be advisable.
§ Mr. BRIANTIf I give the right hon. Gentleman particulars of specific cases will he cause inquiry to be made into them?
§ Sir R. HORNEIf the hon. Member will supply particulars it will be very helpful to us.