§ 47. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the rising unemployment in the hotel and catering industry; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)I am aware of the normal seasonal recession in the hotel and catering industry. This principally affects holiday resorts where it has always been difficult to find other work at the end of the season for persons engaged in this industry. The Departments concerned are doing all they can to encourage the introduction of suitable industries into these areas and local employment committees are actively considering what they can do to assist.
§ Sir I. FraserIs not the unemployment which has been observed during the past summer and is aggravated now, something more than an ordinary seasonal 1408 change and would not the best way of helping seaside and holiday resorts generally be to make easier the conditions under which they operate?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe conditions under which they operate have been agreed between both sides of the industry and it is not my business or intention to intervene. What we are trying to do is to get other industries there to take up the slack. It must be remembered in regard to seasonal resorts, however, that if other people enter in the winter they will want to remain there in the summer.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksHow is it that only now is consideration being given to this matter, when it was quite obvious months ago that there was going to be much more than seasonal unemployment in these industries?
§ Mr. IsaacsThere is no evidence that there is going to be much more—there is a lot of talk, I know, but, if we get the evidence, we will look at it. We have been trying to get other industries to go into these areas since last winter at least, which was long before the Act came into operation.