§ 16. Mr. Dayasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of agreements that have been made for the various districts relating to hours of employment and wages of the employés of the cinematograph industry; can he give particulars of the number of cinemas so affected, and the number of employés covered by these agreements; and what further action he now proposes to take?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe number of collective agreements known to my Department to have been made relating to the wages and hours of cinematograph employés in different districts is 24. It is possible that there are other agreements in operation, which have not come to the knowledge of the Department. The information in my possession is insufficient to enable me to state the number of cinemas, or the total number of employés, covered by these agreements. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 2nd February.
§ Mr. DayCan the Minister say whether investigations have been made following upon the letters which have been sent to him showing that some of these employés work 76 to 80 hours per week?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. Member did draw my attention to one case and inquiries are being made, and I will let him know as soon as I know the result.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWhy does not the right hon. Gentleman know the exact number of employés covered by these 24 agreements, and why does he not know the number of agreements?
§ Mr. BrownWe are anxious to do all we can to promote harmonious discussions between the two sides of the industry, and if there is need for further inquiry I will gladly make it, but it is just as easy for the hon. Member to put the question to the Association as it is for me to do so.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the first question, and say how it is that he does not know the number of cinema employés affected by the agreements?
§ Mr. DayIs it not a fact that some small cinemas will not allow their employés to join the unions?