HC Deb 30 June 1938 vol 337 cc2101-2
7. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour what further action he now proposes to take following the inquiry recently held into the hours of employment and wages of cinematograph workers in Great Britain?

Mr. E. Brown

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 16th June.

Mr. Day

Will it be possible to give a decision on this matter, which has been going on now since 1929?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member keeps on making that statement, but it is not accurate. There was an inquiry in 1929, but I began inquiries about 18 months ago, and I have a vast amount of information which we are now collating. At the present moment I cannot say when it will be possible to make an announcement. The hon. Member will understand that we are bringing the matter up in order to see whether improvements are necessary, and, if so, how they can be obtained. That is my desire.

Mr. Day

Did not the Minister's predecessor give the same promise, and can he not now say when some definite action can be taken?

Mr. Brown

I have told the hon. Member that I cannot. I will do so as soon as I can.

Mr. Herbert Morrison

Are we to understand that 18 months is well below the average of delay in the case of this Government?

Mr. Brown

That is not so, as the Government's record shows. It is a wonderful constructive record.