HC Deb 04 November 1937 vol 328 cc1098-9
19. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now received the particulars he has asked for of the wages received and hours employed by the workers in the cinema industry; and what action he now proposes to take?

Mr. E. Brown

This inquiry is in active progress but, as I informed the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Short) on 21st October, it will be some time before it can be completed.

Mr. Day

Are those inquiries only for the week ending 23rd October, or for an average time; and how long shall we have to wait before the miserable conditions of these juvenile workers, who have to work 70 hours a week at cinemas, are remedied?

Mr. Brown

Inquiries were made as to the wages and conditions of each worker employed in 4,000 of these cinemas for the week ending 23rd October.

Mr. Day

Why cannot we have an average statement for several weeks before that?

Mr. Lawson

Are the inquiries being pushed ahead, as the conditions, so far as they are known, are really a scandal?

Mr. Brown

Not only are inquiries being pushed ahead, but I am having the active assistance of the Cinematograph Association.