§ 53. Mr. Remnantasked the Minister of Labour how many catering and hotel employees in South Coast towns were unemployed at a convenient date in January, 1952, and January, 1953, respectively.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThree thousand, six hundred and sixty-six at 14th January, 1952, and 4,336 at 12th January, 1953. The figures relate to the numbers registered as unemployed at South Coast towns from Folkestone to Weymouth, including the Isle of Wight.
§ Mr. RemnantIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the existing wage structure is aggravating the problem of unemployment in seasonal hotels, and will he request the chairman of the Wages Board to study the methods employed on the Continent, particularly in Switzerland, to deal with this problem?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI have taken steps during the last few months to improve the structure of the Wages Board concerned in order that it may—the matter is entirely one for the Wages Board—give effect to the differences which apply in the different types of the establishments concerned. I hope that this will meet the situation.
§ Mr. PorterCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what is the convenient date for these persons to be out of work?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI think I had better withhold any information of that kind that I have.