§ 14. Mr. HOLLANDasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the higher mortality rates prevailing among workers in the licensed trade than among those engaged in other occupations, and of the many protests against the long hours and difficult conditions which were received from these workers when a Bill to lengthen the hours of sale was recently before Parliament; and whether he will now consider the withdrawal of his approval and contributions to the scheme of a private company for training unemployed from the depressed areas at potmen and bar-tenders, in view of the fact that the company has publicly stated that the improvement of public house conditions is no longer a matter for its concern?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADNo, Sir. According to my information the improvement of conditions of service of public house staff remains one of the main objects of this association.
Viscountess ASTORAs the mortality is so much higher in this trade than in most others, why train people for a trade so dangerous to health and morals?
§ Mr. HOLLANDDoes not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think the present position gives rise to certain misgivings and does not he think this arrangement takes the form of an indirect subsidy to a trade which can well afford to recognise reasonable hours of labour?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADNo, I do not agree with that. I do not think it gives rise to misgiving. It is simply part of the general training scheme which the Ministry of Labour operates.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIs it the policy of the Ministry of Labour to train people to be employed in sweated occupations?
§ Mr. BANFIELDIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that long hours and low wages are extremely common in this trade?