§ 36. Mr. BAKERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that waitresses employed at the British Empire Exhibition receive wages of only 15s. per week; whether he has taken any steps to inquire into this; whether the British Government, as a financial guarantor, approves 1722 of such low wages; what executive action he proposes to take; and whether he will take it without any further delay?
§ Mr. LUNN (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the rest of the question, I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 4th June, in answer to a question asked by the hon. and learned Member for the Bassetlaw Division of Nottinghamshire.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas anything resulted in view of the steps the hon. Gentleman has taken?
§ Mr. LUNNI cannot say anything has resulted since I answered the various questions put to me on that day.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not a fact that control over these servants is a matter not for the administration of the exhibition, but for the contractor?
§ Mr. MILLSIs this firm of caterers, which appears to have a monopoly at the exhibition, the one that refuses to be represented at any negotiations between employers and workpeople, and, having regard to that fact, is there no possibility of terminating the contract?
§ Sir C. YATEIs not 15s. a week more than is usually paid to waitresses?
§ Commander O. LOCKER-LAMPSONAre tips included, and to how much do they amount?
§ Mr. LUNNAs I said on the previous occasion, I have not gone into the question of the dispute. If a dispute arise upon these matters it is a question for the Minister of Labour.
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONDo some of these ladies get £4 a week in tips?