HC Deb 06 July 1939 vol 349 cc1469-70
23. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the recent evidence respecting the conditions of employment by those engaged in the sale of ice-cream, he will hasten the introduction of legislation to give effect to the findings of the Retail Distributive Trades Conference?

Mr. E. Brown

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 29th June.

Mr. Taylor

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the difficulties that this form of trading creates?

Mr. Brown

Of course, I appreciate the difficulties, and I also appreciate that this is an issue affecting every shopkeeper and every one of the 2,000,000 distributive workers in the country. It is that problem that is before me in the joint report on Scotland and Wales of the Conference to which reference has been made.

Mr. Leslie

Is there any hope of anything being done before the end of the Session?

Mr. Brown

Decidedly, yes.