40. Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Minister of Labour the terms of reference of the Committee appointed under the chairmanship of Lord Cave to consider the operation of the Trade Boards Acts; and whether it is the policy of his Department to regard the inquiry on these terms of reference as a reason for refusing to confirm minimum rates of wages fixed by any particular Trade Board?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe terms of reference of the Committee now sitting under the chairmanship of Lord Cave are "to inquire into the working and effects of the Trade Boards Acts and to report what changes, if any, are required." Since the appointment of the Committee 35 sets of rates have been presented for confirmation. In the case of two of these, dealing with distributive trades, I felt bound to withhold confirmation on the ground that it appeared possible that the recommendations of the Committee might have an important bearing upon the work of the Trade Boards concerned. Of the remaining 33 sets of rates, I have referred back one for reasons not connected with the Committee, and I have confirmed 27. The other five, having been recently fixed, are still under my consideration.