§ 23. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a communication from the joint committee of London co-operative societies and the London district of the National Union of Distributive and Allied Workers urging him to sign at the earliest possible moment the Trade Board rates for the grocery and provision trades; and whether, in view of the publication of the Cave Report on Trade Boards, he is now in a position to make a statement on this subject?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)Yes, Sir. I am not, however, in a position to communicate with the Grocery and Provisions Trade Boards regarding the determination of minimum rates of wages now. I hope to be able to do so at an early date.
§ Mr. DAVIESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling in the country arising out of his indecision in this matter; and when can we have a definite decision from him?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI must deal with this on the lines it is proposed to take with regard to what I may call the Cave recommendations. Until I have got them, I cannot communicate with the Boards. I will do so at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ 26. Lieut.-Colonel JAMESasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation during the present Session to give effect to the recommendations of Lord Cave's Committee on Trade Boards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have given and am giving very careful consideration to the important recommendations of the Committee over which Lord Cave pie-sided. It is our intention to prepare a Bill dealing with the matters raised in the Report, and we hope that it may be possible to find time for its consideration during the present Session. I should like to take the public opportunity offered by this question to tender my thanks to Lord Cave and his Committee for the prompt and painstaking way in which they carried out the Commission I asked them to undertake.