17. Mr. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Labour whether it is intended to set up a trade board for the biscuit industry; and, if so, when is the board to become operative?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have no information before me to suggest that conditions in this trade call for action under the Trade Boards Acts.
§ Mr. BanfieldIs the Minister not aware that the trade board for the baking industry is working extremely well and that biscuit firms are represented on that board so far as their cake business is concerned; and would it not be advisable to inquire into the biscuit trade with a view to seeing whether a trade board would not be of help to that trade, seeing that one has been so valuable in the baking industry?
§ Mr. BrownI am glad to have the assurance of the hon. Member that the, new trade board is working well, but he and the House will know that the biscuit trade was considered when that trade board was set up, and it was not considered desirable to have a trade board for biscuit-making. I have received no representations on the subject, but I shall always be pleased to consider representations if they are well-founded.