§ 26. Mr. SITCHasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the trades now under trade boards and the number employed in trades in which it is proposed to create trade boards during the present year; the number of persons at present engaged in the administration of the Trade Boards Acts; and the additions proposed to be made to this number when the further trade boards are created?
§ Sir R. HORNEIt is impossible to state accurately the number of workpeople employed in trades to which the Trade Boards Acts have been applied, but it is 2189 estimated that the total number is over 2,000,000. It is further estimated that about 2,500,000 are engaged in trades which are now being investigated with a view to the application of the Trade Boards Acts. The number of officers engaged in the administration of the Acts, including the Secretarial and Clerical Staff attached to the Trade Boards, is 159, of whom 115 are temporary officers. For the enforcement of Trade Board rates of wages, it is proposed not to increase the number of the special staff of Inspectors but to utilise the existing noncompliance staff of the Ministry for inspection under the Trade Boards Acts and other Acts for the administration of which the Ministry of Labour is responsible. I anticipate that by this means the proper observance of the Acts will be secured.
§ 27. Mr. SITCHasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Trade Board for the aerated water trade in Scotland has proposed to fix minimum rates of wages below those proposed by the Trade Board in the same trade in ling-land and Wales, and that this difference of rates is viewed with apprehension by manufacturers of aerated waters in England and Wales; whether there is any justification either in regard to cost of living or cost of production in Scotland for the difference; and whether he will look into the matter and, if the difference should not appear to be justified, take steps to bring about a co-ordination in the two sots of minimum rates in the interests of English and Welsh manufacturers and Scottish operatives in the aerated water trade?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware that the two Trade Boards set up for the aerated waters trade have proposed different minimum rates of wages for England and Wales and for Scotland. The proposals are still under the consideration of the respective Boards, and I feel unable to express an opinion until the recommendations of the two Boards are submitted to me in accordance with the procedure prescribed by Statute. The whole matter will then receive my careful consideration.
§ 28. Mr. SITCHasked the Minister of Labour the number of cases in which he has sanctioned, or proposes to sanction, the creation of separate trade boards for Scotland in respect of trades not distinctively Scottish; the considerations, if 2190 any, that induce him to create these; separate boards, and the advantages he I expects to derive from the policy; whether, if he regards separate boards as advantageous for Scotland, he proposes also to create separate boards for Wales; whether he is aware that the creation 1 of separate boards in a single trade for; different parts of the United Kingdom involves the risk of different rates of wages, and consequently of friction between employers in one part of the United Kingdom and those in another, as well as a serious increase in the expenses of trade boards administration; and whether, in the circumstances, he will undertake not further to create more than one board in any trade in the United Kingdom until he has taken into account the views of the associations of employers and workers in the trade?
§ Sir R. HORNEThis question involves a very long answer, and I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following is the statement referred to:—
§ Separate Trade Boards for Scotland have been established for the aerated waters trade, for the hat, cap and millinery trade, and for the dressmaking and women's light clothing trade. I also propose to establish separate Scottish Boards for each of the distributive trades, to which the Trade Boards Acts are now being applied. It is impossible at present to state the total number of Boards that will be required for this group of trades. No decision has been reached as to any other trade, and each case will be considered on its merits, after the views of those interested have been obtained. Separate Boards are only established where there is a substantial difference between the conditions prevailing in the two countries. I have received strong representations from both employers' and workers' organisations in certain trades in favour of the establishment of separate Boards for Scotland, and I feel that there are obvious advantages in such a course, which avoids the necessity for the joint discussion of problems of local or domestic interest and obviates unnecessary expense and waste of time. I anticipate that, far from increasing the cost of administration, this is in the interests of economy. I have received no representations in favour of separate Boards for Wales and no question has arisen in this 2191 connection. It is within the discretion of any Trade Board to propose whatever rates it considers suitable for its area, but, of course, where separate Boards exist, there is no reason why they should not co-ordinate their action if they so desire. In reply to the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that I am compelled by Statute to establish a separate Board in Ireland for any trade which is carried on to any substantial extent in that country. As regards Great Britain, it is my practice, in this as in other matters, to give full consideration to the views of all trade organisations concerned.