§ 6. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the report which Professor T. M. Knox has presented to the Scottish Tourist Board recommending the establishment of a Licensed Hotels Board for Scotland of which a copy has been sent to him; and what action he is taking in the matter.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI have received a copy of this report, which, I understand, has been submitted by the Scottish Tourist Board to the Catering Wages Commission and the Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restaurant Wages Board for their consideration. As regards the particular proposal for the establishment of a Licensed Hotels Board for Scotland, I am unable to vary the field of operation of a Wages Board except on the recommendation of the Catering Wages Commission.
§ Mr. StewartIn view of the almost unanimous expression of opinion of the Scottish people concerned here, with which I think the Secretary of State for Scotland would agree, is it not the intention of the Minister to require the Wages Board to consider the matter and reach a decision quickly?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour functions under the Catering Wages Act, which was passed by this House during the time of the Coalition Government, and, under the terms of that Act, he is prohibited from interfering at all until he receives a recommendation from the Catering Wages Commission.
§ Major Guy LloydWill the Parliamentary Secretary, after consultation with his Minister, consult the Secretary of State for Scotland with a view to setting up a commission to inquire into the whole question of the effect of the Catering Wages Act upon the tourist industry of Scotland, and, in so doing, will he take into account public expressions of opinion by Mr. Thomas Johnston on this subject?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe hon. and gallant Gentleman seems to forget that the Catering Wages Commission is a permanent body established by the Coalition Government, and that it is actively considering this proposal which has been submitted to it.
Commander GalbraithAre we to understand that the whole tourist industry of Scotland is to be left to fall into decay and that no action is being taken?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThere is an independent body, set up by the authority of this House, for dealing with the matter, and until the Minister receives a recommendation from that body he cannot move.
§ Major LloydIs not the Minister in the least interested in expressions of opinion from Scotland, or must we wait for another body to dictate to Scotland?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsMy right hon. Friend is not indifferent to the position of the catering industry at present, but he is prohibited by Act of Parliament from interfering, and that Act was passed by the Coalition Government.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWould the right hon. Gentleman consider pointing out to this body the very serious situation which has developed in Scotland on this matter? Would it be considered to be an interference with their duties to say to them, "What are you going to do on this matter, which is so urgent"?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIt seems to me that hon. Members opposite do not understand what is happening. Professor Knox's Report is the result of a request from the Scottish section of the Commission, and they are now considering that report. Until they make recommendations to the Minister, he can do nothing in the matter.
§ Mr. StewartMay I suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that I first addressed this Question to the Secretary of State for Scotland? Does it not seem amazing that this matter, highly affecting Scottish interests, should not be dealt with by the Scottish Secretary of State?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsUnder the Catering Wages Act, passed by the Coalition Government, the responsibility was placed upon the Ministry of Labour.