HC Deb 04 March 1925 vol 181 cc435-6
57. Marquess of HARTINGTON

asked the Minister of Labour whether investigations have been made into wages and conditions in the catering and retail drapery trades; and, if so, whether early publication of the results of the investigations may be expected?

69. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Minister of Labour whether the investigations recently made into wages and conditions in the catering and retail drapery trades revealed in those trades or in any part of them such lack of organisation or the payment of such wages as would cause the Minister to consider those trades with a view to action being taken under Section 1, Sub-section (2). of the Trade Boards Act, 1918?

72. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Labour whether his investigations into wages and conditions in the catering and retail drapery trades are now completed; whether he proposes to publish the results of those investigations; and, if so, how soon publication may be expected.

75. Miss WILKINSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether his investigations into wages and conditions in the catering and retail drapery trades are completed; and, if so, whether he is yet in a position to present the results of those investigations to the. House?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The late Government put in hand investigation by officers of the Ministry of Labour into wages and conditions in the retail drapery trade, the fancy goods trade, and the light refreshment and dining-room branch of the catering trade. The inquiries are approaching completion, and I am considering the form in which, having regard to the confidential character of some of the information obtained, the results may be made generally available. As the inquiries have not yet 'been completed I am not yet in a position to reply to the question of the hon. Member for Nottingham South.

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as long as four years ago all the preliminaries were gone through in order to set up a Trade Board in the drapery trade? Why therefore is there this delay?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Since I have taken over the administration of my present office I have tried to get the situation as regards the outstanding Trade Boards cleaned up as quickly as T can.

Mr. MACKINDER

In the event of the right hon. Gentleman not being able to establish all the Trade Boards, shall we have a digest of information so that Members of the House may know exactly what ere the conditions of these people?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I shall be able I hope to give all the information in my power compatible with the, fact that some of the information obtained is necessarily got under a promise of confidence.