§ 25. Miss JEWSONasked the Minister of Labour how many workers are likely to be affected by the light refreshment 2904 and dining room part of the catering trade for which he is proposing to set up a Trade Board?
§ Mr. SHAWThe occupational classification of the 1921 Census returns indicates that 140,346 persons are engaged in restaurants, catering, eating and coffee houses. Until, however, the investigation referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on Monday last has taken place and a case disclosed for applying the Trade Boards Acts to the dining room and light refreshment trade, I am unable to say how many persons will be covered by any board that may be set up.
§ Miss JEWSONCan the right hon. Gentleman define what he means by the dining room and light refreshment trade? Will the Board include Soho restaurant workers who badly need protection? Will it also include the workers in the refreshment club here—or are our refreshments too heavy? Further, does he not think it a mistake to divide a trade in which all the workers need protection, especially in view of the fact that a previous Minister tried to set up a Trade Board three years ago and failed for this reason.
§ Mr. SHAWThe Trade Board itself will make the definitions. I am afraid that if I had to attempt to make them in answer to a question there would be protests from other parts of the House.
§ Viscount CURZONWill the Trade Board cover the waitresses employed by the A.B.C. and Isaacs' fish shops?
§ Mr. BECKERWould not the number of employés in light refreshment shops be greatly increased if the D.O.R.A. restrictions which tie them down were taken away?
§ Viscount CURZONCan I have an answer?
§ Mr. SHAWI have already said that the definitions would be decided after the inquiry has been concluded. I cannot speak definitely on the point.