§ 28. Lieut.-Colonel Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Minister of Labour whether ho has received an. application from the Drapers' Chamber of Trade for the suspension of Statutory Rules and Orders No. 357, Wages (Temporary Regulation); whether he is aware of the strong feeling among the workers in the trades concerned against the suspension or modification of this Order; and whether, with a view to safeguarding the workers' rates of wages, he will take steps to set up a trade board in these trades as soon as possible?
§ Mr. WARDLEApplication for the suspension of Statutory Rules and Orders, 1919, No. 357, has been made by the Drapers Chamber of Trade- Since the issue of the Order several conferences have taken place between the employers' representatives and trade unions concerned, and on every occasion the representatives of the workers strongly opposed any suggestion of modification of the prescribed rates except in the case of sub-normal workers. Notice of intention to apply the Trade Boards Acts to the whole of the men's and women's clothing trades was published on Tuesday, 24th June, and the necessary steps are now being taken to constitute the trade boards required. It is hoped that it will be possible for the boards to meet at the end of the present month.
§ Mr. WARDLEI do not think so.