5. Commander Bowerasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the large numbers of small employers and one-man businesses in the catering industry who are now in the Fighting Services or in war industries and who are therefore unable to give proper consideration to his proposals for controlling the catering industry; and what steps he proposes to take to obtain their views before taking further action in the matter?
§ Mr. BevinIn accordance with the normal practice in matters of this kind, I am obtaining the views of employers through representative employers' organisations.
Commander BowerIs it not very desirable that the voice of the small men in the industry, many of whom may not be represented by such organisations, should be considered, especially in view of the fact that so many of them are the pioneers of all forms of private enterprise?
§ Mr. BevinAs far as I can gather, this trade is pretty well organised on the employers' side. The trouble is it is not well organised on the workpeople's side. That is what makes it so difficult to consult both sides.
§ Mr. ThorneI take it there is no objection to one-man businesses joining an employers' organisation?