§ 8. Mr. ROBERT YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to an advertisement posted by his orders in the employment exchanges asking for skilled engineers to work for French firms at wages which amount to no more than 32s. English money at the present rate of exchange; and will he, under the circumstances, instruct that these advertisements shall be removed in view of the very keen resentment expressed by the members of British trade unions?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)The notice to which the hon. Member refers gives particulars of the wages paid to skilled engineers, whether French or British, in the establishment in question, and states that only single men will be considered.
The minimum weekly earnings of the men amount to 154 francs approximately, while the combined cost of board and lodging is 105 francs, leaving a balance of 49 francs. It is not contemplated that men going to take up this work are men who need to remit money home, and the rate of exchange does not, therefore, affect the position.
No pressure of any kind is brought to bear on unemployed men to accept the vacancies, and in view of the fact that considerable numbers of men have availed themselves of the openings, I am not prepared to deprive unemployed skilled engineers of the opportunity of considering the matter.
§ Mr. H. H. SPENCERHas the hon. Member's attention been drawn to the statement in the "Times" this morning—that, owing to the calamitous fall in the franc, the French manufacturers of textiles are able to buy no more wool, and that therefore we shall have to give up manufacturing?
§ Mr. BETTERTONMy attention has not been drawn to that statement.
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe advertisement in question comes from the Peugeot Motor Works.
§ Mr. YOUNGIs it not a fact that low wages paid abroad and competition arising therefrom were condemned at the last election, and that this is an encouragement of both?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, it is not an encouragement of anything of the kind. No pressure of any kind is brought to bear on these men, and they do not suffer any disadvantage here from going to France. This work is not considered for the purposes of the Unemployment Act as work that has been offered. There is no pressure of any kind.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI would like to ask the Minister if he thinks that it is fair that they should put up this notice in the employment exchanges, knowing full well, according to his own statement, that the wages that are going to be paid to skilled engineers in France are simply 32s. a week?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI do not think there is anything unfair about it at all. No pressure is brought to bear, and it is open to a man who is unemployed to please himself whether or not he goes.
§ Lieut.-Colonel NALLIs it not a fact that owing to the prospect of the markets of this country remaining open to continental manufacturers, employment on the Continent will increase?
§ Mr. W. THORNEIn the event of any of these men who are signing the live register refusing to accept employment in France, will they be deprived of the benefit?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo. I am very glad that question has been asked, because I want to make it quite clear that they will certainly not be deprived of benefit in those circumstances.