HC Deb 20 April 1939 vol 346 cc468-9
4. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the recent inquiry held by his Department into the working conditions and hours of work of persons employed in the cinema industry revealed the fact that many thousands of persons so employed were working over 70 hours a week for salaries under £2 10s. per week, and that their employers did not belong to any association and, accordingly, no agreement could be arrived at between them and the employés' association, he will now state what action he proposes to take to improve or remedy these conditions?

Mr. E. Brown

I am not aware what authority the hon. Member has for the statements contained in the first part of his question. In any case, I am of opinion that the best method of making progress towards the regulation of wages and other conditions in this industry is as stated in my reply of 9th March.

Mr. Day

How is it proposed to deal with those employers who are members of no association?

Mr. Brown

I have already stated that we intend to go on as we are going with very satisfactory results, and we will consider later what happens.

Mr. T. Williams

Where employers' and workers' organisations have entered into agreements to observe certain conditions, and the conditions are not observed by non-members of employers' organisations, what action will the right hon. Gentleman take?

Mr. Brown

I should not care to commit myself on a hypothetical question of that kind. If both organisations make representations to me, I am always willing to consider them, as in the case of any other industry.

Mr. Day

The right hon. Gentleman says he proposes to go on in the same way because of the satisfactory results, but does he realise that these inquiries have been going on for many years?

Mr. Brown

Yes, and the results that have been obtained in the last two years have been more satisfactory than for the whole of the rest of the period.