§ 8. Captain Stricklandasked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to set up a trade board for those engaged in the catering trade; whether this will include the on-licensed section of the licensed trade and clubs catering for meals; and whether such legislation will be introduced by a Bill or a Special Order?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)I have the question of the regulation of the terms and conditions of service in the catering trades under active consideration, and there has already been one consultation with representatives of the employers and trade unions concerned.
§ Captain StricklandWill my right hon. Friend answer the latter part of the Question, and will he also bear in mind the many ramifications of the trades that do catering as part of their enterprise—for instance, the licensed trades? Will there be any means of bringing them into the scheme?
§ Mr. BevinWith regard to the latter part of the Question, I apologise for not making it clear that this will have to be done by legislation. With regard to the comprehensive character of what I propose, it is intended to make provisions for dealing with the whole of the catering trade, and the devices I have been engaged in working out will allow for flexibility in order that the special conditions of the different branches may be dealt with on their merits.
§ Captain StricklandHas the right hon. Gentleman in mind the catering trade, including the licensed liquor trade, or the meals trade?
§ Mr. BevinThe whole of it. I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the policy of the Government is not to leave trades, industries and services of this character unregulated for the postwar period. We must make provision in order that there can be a settling back into these industries on regulated, and not on unregulated conditions.
Mr. Graham WhiteFrom the negotiations which the Minister has had with employers and others, does he hope to be able to proceed by an agreed Measure?