HC Deb 06 May 1952 vol 500 cc172-3
27. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take in regard to the need for modification of the Catering Wages Act for hotels in the Highland area, as recommended by the report by the Highlands and Islands Advisory Panel on the County of Sutherland.

Mr. J. Stuart

I have brought the recommendation to the notice of my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour who, as he stated in reply to a Question by the bon. Member for Cheadle (Mr. Shepherd) on 10th April, is in discussion with the two sides of the hotel industry.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that hotel keepers in the Highlands and Islands are labouring under a very great difficulty pending the revision of the Catering Wages Act?

Mr. Stuart

I can assure my noble Friend that I am aware of this, and that I have been in touch with my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour on this matter.

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

Would the right hon. Gentleman ask his noble Friend the Member for Inverness (Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton) whether he is aware that the report made a comment on this rather than a recommendation? It is not a recommendation.