§ 35. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the Minister of Labour whether the results of his inquiry into the grocery and provision trade were such as to lead him to the conclusion that sweating conditions do not exist in this trade?
§ 48. Mr. TAYLORasked the Minister of Labour on what grounds he declines to establish minimum rates of wages and apply the Trade Boards Act in the grocery trade?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI will, if I may, answer these questions together. I cannot add to the statement on the points raised contained in the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Edinburgh Central (Mr. W. Graham) on the 11th February.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are cases of women of 22 working 56½ hours for 15s. a week, and women of 17 working for 8s. 6d. in these trades?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not aware of what information the hon. Gentleman has at his disposal, but I should be glad to have any that he has, and I have no doubt there will be ample opportunity in the House to discuss the decisions which have been reached.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERMay I ask when we shall get the detailed report of the result of the inquiry so that we may consider it before the debate?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am having it pushed on as quickly as I can, and I hope that as the reports come out they will be put at the disposal of hon. Members as soon as it is possible.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the right hon. Gentleman say why trades boards in other industries have been set up since the Grocery Trade Board was discontinued, and whether the wages are less favourable in those trades than in the grocery trade?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI presume it was because the conditions are different.
§ Mr. KELLYWill the Minister state upon what evidence he decided against setting up a trade board for the grocery trade?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI cannot do that in reply to a question. In my opinion, the conditions were not such as to warrant it being done, but to give the reasons in detail would really be a matter for debate.