HC Deb 14 June 1934 vol 290 cc1867-8
1. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the French firm, the Mossley (Lancashire) Woolcombing and Spinning Company, at their Old Mills, pay adult male spinners a maximum wage of 32s. 6d. for a full week, without any time for meals, on shifts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; that the wages paid to other adult males on night preparation work from 7.15 p.m. to 6 a.m. are 28s. 10d. per week; that women preparation workers at the New Mills are employed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with one hour off for a meal, at a maximum wage of 16s. 5½d. per week; and whether he will lay down as a condition for foreign firms establishing themselves in this country that they will recognise fair conditions of labour?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

I have no information in regard to the rates of wages and hours of work in operation in this under- taking, but I will have inquiry made, and communicate with my hon. Friend.

Mr. DAVIES

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is grossly unfair that foreign firms should come here and pay rates and wages which are below the recognised rates of wages in this country? Does he not see the necessity of laying down some provision that foreign firms who come here should recognise the British standard of living?

Mr. HUDSON

Yes, Sir. That is one of the usual conditions upon which permits are granted. I will have inquiries made, but I should not like to express an opinion until that has been done.

Mr. DAVIES

Do we understand that provisions are laid down in regard to the rates of wages and hours of labour for the firms coming into this country, and, if so, is it not very necessary to see that those conditions are carried out?

Mr. HUDSON

I do not know the status of the particular firms, but I will have inquiries made. Our usual practice in laying down conditions is to say that the work shall be carried out at rates of wages corresponding to those prevailing in the industry.

Mr. GORDON MACDONALD

Will those conditions be enforced on these firms?

Mr. HUDSON

Nobody keeps a current record week to week, but whenever we have reason to believe that any conditions are being infringed there are powers to see that the conditions are complied with.

Mr. DAVIES

Does not the hon. Gentleman understand that these workpeople are not aliens, and that the complaint in the question is that foreign industrialists are exploiting British people in this country?

Mr. HUDSON

I think that the hon. Member had better wait until we have the report of the inquiry.

Mr. CHARLES BROWN

What is the use of having a system of Protection to keep out foreign goods, if foreign firms can come here and make them?

Sir JOSEPH LAMB

Does the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. C. Brown) always support Protection?