HC Deb 17 November 1938 vol 341 cc1021-2
3. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state approximately the number of employed persons engaged in selling ice-cream from barrows or cycles in the streets of this country; whether he is aware of the inferior conditions under which many of them are employed; and whether he will consider setting up a trade board to lay down a decent rate of wages for them?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I have no reliable information as to the number of persons in this class of employment. In the course of inquiries made this summer I found that the normal practice of the larger firms in this business is to pay their men a guaranteed minimum wage plus commission, and I was assured that the average weekly earnings are much in excess of the guaranteed minimum wage plus commission, and I was assured that the average weekly earnings are much in excess of the guaranteed minimum. I am also informed that these firms supply uniform and contribute to thrift bonus schemes to help men to have a sum in hand at the end of the season. The discussions which are now taking place between my Department and employers and work-people's organisations in the retail distributive trades, with a view to the better regulation of wages and working conditions, cover selling of this kind, and I do not think that it is necessary, pending the outcome of those discussions, to take special action in regard to this class of salesmen

Mr. Davies

Are we to understand from the reply that these discussions will cover all these people

Mr. Brown

Certainly.

Mr. Tomlinson

Are we to understand that the suggestion was that there should be a minimum wage plus commission, which would give a guaranteed income by these firms?

Mr. Brown

These firms pay a guaranteed minimum wage plus commission.

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