HC Deb 06 July 1939 vol 349 c1469
19. Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the proposals of the joint conference of employers' and employés organisations of the distributive trades in Scotland regarding machinery for the regulation of wages and conditions of labour; and whether he will publish these in the same form as he intends to publish the English proposals?

Mr. E. Brown

In the case of the proposals for England and Wales both the employers' and employés' organisations agreed to their publication. In the case of Scotland, however, certain of the employers' organisations are not in agreement with the proposals which have been sent to me and the employés' organisations have expressed a desire for a further meeting of the Joint Committee before any proposals are published.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this conference was convened at his own request, that it did a great deal of work, and that there would be great indignation in Scotland if it were felt that my right hon. Friend was attempting to shelve these proposals?

Mr. Brown

I agree that there would be indignation. I should be the first to feel it.