HC Deb 19 May 1938 vol 336 cc554-5
7. Mr. Messer

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the results of the inquiry into the conditions of cinema employes and what action he proposes to take?

8. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now completed his inquiries into the wages, hours of employment, and general conditions under which persons are employed in cinemas; and will he give particulars of what further action he now proposes to take?

Mr. E. Brown

I will, if I may, answer these questions together. The collection of information in connection with this inquiry has now been completed, and the whole position is being examined in the light of all the facts available.

Mr. Day

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what action he is now going to take?

Mr. Brown

Not at the moment.

Mr. Day

Is it not the fact that these facts and figures have been known to the Ministry for some years?

Mr. Brown

That is not the fact. These are entirely new figures. The hon. Member is talking about considerations of 1929; this is 1938.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to bear in mind that the employers in this industry promised faithfully, when we passed the Cinematograph Films Act, to give this information to their employés?

Mr. Brown

I must say that they kept their word, and did their very best to assist me in this matter. As the hon. Member knows very well, one of the effects of the action we have taken in the Ministry is the decision of the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association to enter into negotiations with the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employés.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Is not this trouble due to the fact of one union trying to poach upon another?

Mr. Brown

I am not concerned with that at all. I am concerned only with getting the actual facts about the conditions of these people, so that we can do what we can to improve conditions where necessary.

Mr. R. Gibson

Did the inquiry include Scotland as well as England?

Mr. Brown

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Messer

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to give the House any information of the action he is likely to take?

Mr. Brown

I cannot say, but I will do it as early as possible.

Mr. Day

Does the Minister say that working for 70 hours a week for a salary of £1 is a question of one union poaching on another?

Mr. Brown

I did not say that, but the House will not take it from the hon. Member that that is a fair statement of the whole case.