HC Deb 18 March 1930 vol 236 cc1881-2
10. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the technical objection that may be raised if an information is laid against a cargo of timber arriving from one of the large Soviet detention camps that these camps are not prisons, gaols, houses of correction, or penitentiaries within the meaning of the Act of 1897, whether the Government will extend the Act to all places where men or women are detained and compelled to work without other remuneration than food?

Mr. GILLETT

I am afraid no undertaking can be given to introduce legislation to amend the Act in the direction the hon. and gallant Member desires.

Mr. BROCKWAY

Would it not be desirable to abolish work of this character in East Africa before we begin to apply these Regulations to other countries?

Commander BELLAIRS

Can the subject be raised at the League of Nations?

Leather and Fabric Gloves.

The following data have been furnished by the Joint Industrial Council for the Glove-making Industry and relate, in the case of Leather Gloves to firms that employed, in 1924, 88 per cent. of the total number of cutters in the Leather Glove Industry, and in the case of Fabric Gloves, to firms that employed, in 1924, 82 per cent. of the total number of cutters in the Fabric Glove industry.

Month. Leather Gloves. Fabric Gloves.
Number of gloves cut. Average number of workers employed.* Number of gloves cut. Average number of workers employed.*
1929—
October … … … 51,042 9,228 15,545 1,233
November … … … 61,496 9,160 19,463 1,179
December … … … 40,866 9,049 12,412 1,183
* Including outworkers.
Mr. GILLETT

I will consider that point.