§ 15. Sir Annesley Somervilleasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that at a meeting of a Midland area food industries trade board the members appointed by the Ministry of Labour voted in favour of a rise in wages, and, as this is contrary to the Government's policy, and by increasing wages and thereby the costs of production will cause rises in cost of living, and compel the abandonment of the Government's plans to stabilise cost of living, will he consult with the Ministry of Food, the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour, to clarify the position, for the guidance of trade boards?
§ Mr. BevinThe appointed members of trade boards are independent persons whose duty it is to exercise judicial impartiality in dealing with matters which come before the boards. It has not been the practice to issue any instructions to the appointed members as to the manner in which they should give their votes, and I see grave objection to the introduction of such a practice.
§ Sir A. SomervilleWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I point out that we have to avoid the evils of inflation, which would be 1472 disastrous for everyone, but especially for the poor?
§ Mr. George GriffithsShould not a rise in wages follow the rise in the cost of living and not go before it?