19. Mr. Davidsonasked the Minister of Labour the total number of employés affected by his inquiry into conditions in the distributive industry and the estimated number of employés not inside the ambit of trade unions or trade boards?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe number of insured workers in the distributive trades at July, 1938, was about 2,300,000. Separate figures of trade union membership for the distributive trades is not available, but I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Labour Gazette for October last which gives the latest inclusive figures available for commerce and distribution. About 100,000 workers are covered by the milk distributive trade boards.
Mr. DavidsonWill the Minister keep in mind, in view of possible regulations in the future covering distributive trades' workers, that the regulations will affect a considerably larger number who are outside trade boards and trade unions?
§ Mr. BrownThat is why I initiated discussions between both sides in the industry the employers and the employed, and that is why they have submitted a plan for the consideration of the conditions of those who are not in the statutory body.