RETAIL JOINT INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS.

HC Deb 20 November 1941 vol 376 cc435-7

16. Mr. Higgs

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the employers' organisations which are represented in the retail joint industrial councils; the approximate percentage of firms or individuals who own retail shops that are members of the employers' organisations so represented; whether he can give an assurance that all the employers' organisations represented in the councils have sought and received their members formal agreement to their participation in discussions for formulating retail wages schemes which would be taken into account by a National Arbitration Tribunal constituted under the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order of 18th July, 1940?

Mr. Tomlinson

There are five councils concerned, and as the list of Associations is rather long, I will circulate it, if I may, in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to. the second and third parts of the Question, I would point out that these councils are voluntary bodies set up by the industries themselves, and the information asked for can only be obtained from the organisations concerned.

Mr. Higgs

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of employers in the retail trade repudiate the suggestion that they are represented either directly or indirectly on these joint industrial councils, and, what is more, that a large number of employers do not know that they exist?

Mr. Tomlinson

I am not responsible for the shortcomings or the lack of knowledge of employers. In the main these are accepted as a national agreement by the organisations of both employers and employees.

Following is the list:

EMPLOYERS' ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTED IN THE RETAIL JOINT INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS.

I. Stationery, Bookselling, Newsagency, Tobacco and Confectionery Trades.

• National Federation of Retail Newsagents, Booksellers & Stationers.
• National Union of Retail Confectioners.
• National Union of Retail Tobacconists.
• Stationers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland.
• Associated Booksellers of Great Britain and Ireland.
• Co-operative Union, Limited.
• Multiple Shops Federation.
• Retail Distributors' Association.
• London Employers' Association.
• National Chamber of Trade.

II. Hairdressing (including Beauty Specialists).

• Hairdressers' Parliamentary Council.
• Co-operative Union, Limited.
• Multiple Shops Federation.
• Retail Distributors' Association.
• London Employers' Association.
• National Chamber of Trade.

III. Retail Furnishing, Hardware, Cycle, Radio, etc.

• British Furniture Trades Employers' Confederation.
• China and Glass Retailers' Association of the United Kingdom.
• Co-operative Union, Limited.
• Drapers' Chamber of Trade.
• London Employers' Association.
• Multiple Shops Federation.
• National Association of Cycle and Motor Cycle Traders.
• National Association of Radio Retailers.
• National Chamber of Trade.
• National Federated Electrical Association.
• National Federation of Ironmongers.
• Retail Distributors' Association.
• Wireless Retailers' Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

IV. Retail Drapery, Outfitting and Footwear Trades.

• Co-operative Union, Limited.
• Drapers' Chamber of Trade, Great Britain and Ireland.
• Incorporated National Federation of Boot Trades Association.
• London Employers' Association Limited.
• National Association of Outfitters.
• National Chamber of Trade.
• National Federation of Credit Traders.
• National Federation of Merchant Tailors, Incorporated.
• Retail Distributors' Association, Incorporated.

V. Retail Food Trades.

• Amalgamated Master Dairymen Limited.
• Co-operative Union, Limited.
• London Employers' Association.
• Multiple Grocers' Association.
• Multiple Shops' Federation.
• National Chamber of Trade.
• National Dairymen's Association, Incorporated.
• National Federation of Grocers' and Provision Dealers' Association.
• Retail Distributors' Association.
• National Federation of Off-Licence Holders' Associations.
• Retail Fruit Trade Federation Limited.
• Cooked Meats National Trade Association.
• National Federation of Fishmongers Limited.