§ 56. Mr. MAINWARINGasked the Minister of Labour whether in existing trading estates or estates likely to be promoted either by the Ministry of Labour or the Special Areas Reconstructional Association, proper provisions exist or will be made to safeguard trade union rates of wages for those engaged in any of the establishments?
§ Lieut. - Colonel MUIRHEADThe factories on these trading estates will be rented by the companies to prospective employers at commercial rents, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason to differentiate between the position of such employers and those occupying existing trading estates.
§ Mr. MAINWARINGAre we to understand from the reply that the Minister does not think it fit and proper to see that there are trade union rates of wages and conditions of employment in these estates?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADMy right hon. Friend, as my answer indicates, does not see any reason for differentiating between these particular trading estates and any other trading estates.
§ Mr. MAINWARINGIs it not a fact that these trading estates are to be utilised to draw unemployed workmen from depressed areas, and that they are offered work in these places at an absolutely scandalous rate of wages, 7¾d. per hour being paid at one of these places?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI am not at all prepared to accept the statement made by the hon. Member, but I would draw attention to the fact that if one is going to differentiate between these trading estates and other trading estates it may end in defeating the object of these trading estates, which is to stimulate industrial activity in the Special Areas.
§ Mr. MAINWARINGChinese labour.