§ 52. Mr. KELLYasked the Minister of Labour what evidence is required to prove the existence of sweating in any trade, in view of the fact that in the Reports recently published by his Department it is stated that wages in some branches of the catering trade are less than 20s., including tips, for a 49 and 50 hour week; that women's wages in some branches of the grocery, retail drapery, and fancy goods, and the meat distributive trades are also at a low grade with long hours; whether, seeing that in the Reports on the meat., drapery, and catering trades it is stated that the degree of organisation among workers in these trades is no higher than 25 per cent., and in most of the trades less than 10 per cent., he will set up trade boards in these trades; and whether the trade board already in existence in the wholesale and retail grocery trades will now consider minimum rates of wages, and examine the question of length of hours, especially in regard to the large number of juvenile employés in this trade?
50. Lieut. - Colonel WATTS-MORGANasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that over 30 per cent. of female workers of 21 years of age and 2033 over in the retail grocery trade are shown by the Report recently issued by him to be receiving wages at less than 30s. per week, that over 63 per cent. of female workers in that trade are shown to be working 50 hours per week or more, and that less than 2 per cent. of all workers in that trade are estimated to be organised, he will reconsider his decision not to put statutory minimum rates of wages into operation in the trade; and, if not, what action he proposes to take with regard to the existing grocery and provisions trade boards?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI will, if I may, take these questions together. I cannot within the limits of a Parliamentary answer add to the statement on the points raised contained in the replies given to the right hon. Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. Graham) on the 11th February, and to the hon. and gallant Member for Rhondda (Lieut.-Colonel Watts-Morgan) on the 15th March.
§ Mr. KELLYIs it the opinion of the Minister of Labour that 20s. per week is anything other than a sweated wage; and, further, whether the Grocery Trade Board intends to set up minimum rates for those people mentioned in the third part of the question?
§ Mr. BETTERTONWith regard to the latter part of the question, the Grocery Trade Board was dissolved by virtue of powers contained in the Regulations made under the Act, though the trade itself is not taken outside the Act. With regard to the other part of the question, I can only refer him to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the other day.
§ Mr. KELLYMay I ask whether it is the opinion of the Minister that 20s. per week is an adequate wage at this time in this country?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat is obviously a matter which must be discussed in Debate, and which I cannot deal with in an answer.
§ Mr. TAYLORMay I ask whether the Government's policy with regard to Trade Boards is a Cabinet decision or whether what has been done has been done by the Minister as a matter of administration?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI should like to see that question on the Paper.