§ 61. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that on 11th February last about 50 women and girls were offered work at the St. Martin's Jam Factory, on the Slough trading estate, at a wage of 6¾d. per hour for a 47-hour week, with bonus of 9d. to Is. per day on output; that on presenting themselves at the factory they discovered 1303 that no bonus was payable, and that the maximum weekly wage was about 20s. on account of travelling expenses by rail from Reading, and other deductions; that acceptance of those conditions involved the women and girls in having to leave Reading station at 7.15 a.m., returning at 8.50 p.m.; that the refusal of the workers concerned to accept such conditions has resulted in their being refused unemployment benefit; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am making inquiries regarding the cases referred to, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.