HC Deb 17 December 1936 vol 318 cc2597-8
4. Dr. LEECH

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will request Sir George Gillett, as Commissioner for the Special Areas, to urge the public authorities in the north-east area and in South Wales to make greater efforts to train and transfer unemployed young persons of both sexes to the catering trades and household services in London and the Home counties where employment at proper rates of pay is awaiting suitable applicants?

Mr. E. BROWN

Facilities for the training of adults and juveniles of both sexes for work in the catering trades and in household services are available at the various centres run by, or on behalf of, my Department or in voluntary organisations assisted by my Department. All possible measures are taken to draw the attention of suitable candidates to these facilities, but I regret that there is, and has been for some time, a shortage of recruits except in the case of boys. Recruitment is carried out by, or in cooperation with, the Employment Exchange service, but as I have already indicated, I should welcome any assistance which the local authorities in the north east area or in South Wales could give.

Mr. SHINWELL

Before young women or girls are urged to proceed to London and the Home Counties to take up work of this kind, will the right hon. Gentleman see that proper rates of wages are paid and proper conditions of labour are available?

Mr. BROWN

We always have that in mind.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable opinion that the Government are relying too much upon transference of individuals?

Mr. BROWN

I cannot debate that now.

Mr. G. HARDIE

What are the proper rates of pay? Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to tell us?

Mr. BROWN

I am not.

Mr. HARDIE

Should the right hon. Gentleman not be in a position to state what the rates are? When young people are being transferred should not the Minister study the conditions under which they are to live?

Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

May I remind hon. Members that there are 100 questions on the Order Paper?

Mr. BANFIELD

Will the Minister undertake to see whether it is possible to set up a Trades Board for the catering trades?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.

Mr. THURTLE

On a point of Order. Was not the question of the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) a reflection upon the Chair?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

I did not take it as such.

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