§ 21. Mr. ROBERT RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he can yet state the result of his investigations into the adequacy of the piece-rates paid to workers in the linen trade at Belfast?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe inspections so far carried out have shown that some of the piece-rates paid by the firms which were inspected were insufficient to yield the piece-work basis time-rate fixed by the Trade Board, which was made obligatory in April. Undertakings have been given to increase the rates in question so as to comply with the requirements of the Acts, and steps are being taken to deal with the other firms in the trade as rapidly as possible.
§ Mr. LINDSAYIs it not a fact that in some instances these rates were fixed so high that they could not be paid?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think so.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONThey never paid them.