§ 8. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied with the progress made in the conversations with the employers in the distributive trades with respect to wage rates and working hours; and whether there is any likelihood of a satisfactory agreement being reached shortly?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am glad to say that, since these discussions commenced, many agreements have been made covering important multiple shop organisations and other employers one of which, in respect of a large group of departmental stores, was signed yesterday. The discussions in this country and in Scotland have reached a point at which I hope shortly to be able to arrange joint meetings between employers' and workpeople's organisations for an exchange of views on the form of joint machinery most suited to the circumstances of these trades. I may add that I am receiving the full cooperation of the various organisations and that, having regard to the complexities of the trades, I think that satisfactory progress has been made.