HC Deb 16 December 1937 vol 330 cc1313-4
16. Mr. Short

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the inquiry into the conditions of the employment of cinema workers, all the questionnaires have been returned; and whether he can make a statement relative thereto?

18. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour how many replies he has received to the inquiry forms addressed to the various cinemas in Great Britain asking them to supply particulars of the wages and conditions of all their workers; and what further action he now proposes to take?

Mr. E. Brown

Of 4,828 cinemas to which inquiry forms were sent asking for particulars of the wages and hours of the workers employed in the week ended 23rd October, nearly 4,100 have furnished returns. In a considerable number of cases supplementary inquiries have been necessary on points of detail as to which, on examination of the returns received, further information was found to be required, and these supplementary inquiries are not yet completed. The particulars received are now being tabulated, but, in view of the large amount of detailed information which has been obtained, it will be some time before a summary of the results of the inquiry is available.

Mr. Short

Can the right hon. Gentleman fix the date when we shall receive a report from his Department?

Mr. Brown

I cannot fix the date, because I am anxious to get the maximum number of replies. There are 700 who have not yet replied, and we should like to get as many as possible. I have no compulsory powers in this matter; I must do everything by persuasion.

Mr. Day

Is there any verification of the particulars submitted? Are they checked in the Department to see whether they are correct?

Mr. Brown

My Department is, as I have said, engaged on that work now. The utmost assistance has been given by the associations concerned.

Mr. G. Strauss

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is in just those cases where returns are not sent in that the worst conditions are likely to arise?

Mr. Brown

That, of course, is why I am trying to make sure that I know whether I shall get a return from them or not before making a report.