HC Deb 22 April 1943 vol 388 c1798
8. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to treat members' clubs on the same basis as private houses for the purpose of catering wages regulation.

Mr. Bevin

The Catering Wages Bill will apply to workers employed in members' clubs in so far as a club or a part of a club is wholly or mainly engaged in the catering activities defined in the Bill.

Sir J. Mellor

Will the Minister give some guidance as to his intention? I asked this question on the Committee stage and failed to get an answer, and will the right hon. Gentleman give the matter his attention?

Mr. Bevin

I have answered the Question, and I have stated the facts.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Have not employees in some clubs been underpaid and overworked for a long time?

Mr. Bevin

The principle of the Bill is that it is not a question of whether an institution is run for profit or not but of the work on which a person is engaged. Therefore it is right and proper that there should be no differentiation in wages whether it is a club or a commercial concern.

Mr. Mander

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the rules in force in the Carlton and other clubs are precisely the same as those in the Soviet Union on the subject of tipping—none is allowed?