HC Deb 08 April 1937 vol 322 cc333-5
21. Mr. Short

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information respecting the weekly hours of employment of attendants and others employed at cinemas?

Mr. E. Brown

The only information available respecting the weekly hours of employment of attendants and others employed at cinemas is that contained in a few collective agreements made between employers' associations and trade unions in certain districts. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving such information as is available.

Mr. Short

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiries into this matter? Is he prepared to set up an inquiry, and will he look into the conditions prevailing in Doncaster as far as cinemas are concerned?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps the hon. Member will read the rather long list with which I am supplying him, and then it he has any further points to raise with me, perhaps he will do so.

Mr. Lawson

Is there not considerable information already at the disposal of the Minister of Labour? Was there not an investigation some years ago, and will the right hon. Gentleman continue that investigation in view of the fact that there have been complaints for many years?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member will understand that I have been asked for information about trade conditions. That is what I have given, and perhaps he will look at it first.

Mr. Lawson

Does the right hon. Gentleman not know that there were complaints about working conditions in cinemas some years ago, that the Ministry of Labour began an inquiry, and that there is at the disposal of the Ministry considerable information? Will he begin that inquiry again?

Mr. Brown

I prefer to wait for whatever remarks the hon. Member who put the question may have to make to me about the table I am submitting to the House.

Mr. Day

Has the Minister's notice been drawn to the fact that these employés work over 70 hours a week in many of the small cinemas?

Mr. Brown

The fact is that none of the figures I have in these agreements approaches that figure.

Following is the statement:

Hours of Labour of cinema employés as agreed upon between employers' associations and trade unions in certain districts.
District. Class of Workers. Hours of Labour in a full week.
London and Home Counties Staff working on Sundays:—
General Staff 55
Female Staff 50
Projectionists and Electricians 55
Staff not working on Sundays:—
General Staff 60
Female Staff 55
Projectionists and Electricians 60
Manchester Operators and assistants 48
Clyde Operators 48
Barrow-in-Furness Utility men, daymen, electricians, operators and assistants. 50
Night Staff: attendants, checkers, ushers, cashiers, barmaids, operators, etc. 5 hours per night.
2¾ hours per matinee.