§ 63. Mr. MAXTONasked the Minister of Labour the rates of wages paid in the artificial silk industry to unskilled, semiskilled, and skilled workers, respectively; and what is the length of the working week?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, artificial silk forms part of the raw material of many sections of the textile industry, including cotton, wool, hosiery, linen and jute, and, so far as I know, the agreements obtaining in those industries cover workers using artificial silk. The Ministry of Labour have no information as to the wages or hours of workers employed on spinning or weaving artificial silk only.
§ Mr. MAXTONAm I to understand that the Government which had been safeguarding certain industries takes no interest in the wages and conditions of labour of the persons working in those industries?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe hon. Member must not understand that. What I was pointing out was that the Government have no power to demand the production of wage agreements in any industry.
§ Mr. MAXTONIn that case, will the Prime Minister proceed to take powers to see that wages and conditions of labour in those industries which are safeguarded are properly looked after.
§ Sir BASIL PETOMay I ask whether the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton) is correct in his statement that this is one of the safeguarded industries. Is it not the case that the duty was put on for revenue purposes?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat is so.
§ Mr. REMERIs it not the case that wages in the silk industry are fixed by a Joint Industrial Council, on which the trade unions and the employers are represented?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI think the Joint Industrial Council does not include the artificial silk trade.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDoes it not point to the fact that the best way for men and women to get their wages safeguarded is by joining a trade union?
§ Mr. KELLYMay I ask where the Parliamentary Secretary secured the information that the wages in the artificial silk industry are based upon those operating in the textile industry?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat is not what I said. What I said was that artificial silk forms part of the raw material of many sections of the textile industry and, therefore, until I know on what particular section the hon. Member desires information I cannot answer.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWhy does not the Minister of Labour take steps to secure wages and conditions of labour in this industry seeing that he has taken steps to secure wages and conditions in other industries. Why does he not take similar steps here?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am not quite sure that I follow the hon. Member's question. What I said was that we have no power to demand the production of agreements, nor have we any power to enforce wages agreements in any industry?
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it not the fact that the Department has taken steps by voluntary effort to secure wages in other industries? Have any steps been taken to secure wages in this industry?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir. As far as I know that question has never been put to my Department until this moment.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill the Prime Minister answer the question which I put to him as to whether he is prepared to secure wages and conditions of labour in the safeguarded industries as distinct from other industries?