HC Deb 18 November 1954 vol 533 cc536-7
1. Mr. Hobson

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make statutory regulations governing the conditions of employment in the wholesale textile merchants section of the textile industry.

The Minister of Labour and National Service (Sir Walter Monckton)

I have no power to make regulations governing wages except to give effect to proposals submitted by the wages boards and councils for the workers they cover. I have received no representations that a wages council should be established for workers in the industry mentioned in the Question.

Mr. Hobson

While thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him whether he does not think that it is part of his duty to take action, in view of the case of gross exploitation that took place in my constituency, where a male worker of 30 years of age was being paid an average sum of £1 per week?

Sir W. Monckton

If the hon. Member will be good enough to supply me with all the material he has, not only about that case but generally to show that it is necessary in the industry as a whole, I shall be glad to consider it.

2. Mr. Hobson

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give instructions to his local officers not to submit applicants for employment to wholesale textile merchants until such times as reasonable wages and conditions appertain.

Sir W. Monckton

No, Sir. It would not be proper to use the statutory service provided by the employment exchanges to establish minimum wages and conditions.

Mr. Hobson

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that it is part of his duty to maintain reasonable wages and conditions, and is he not aware that this firm, Ripponden Mills, was exploiting a constituent of mine who was getting 19s. 3d. per week before he transferred his employment, when he was paid at the rate of £5 3s. 8d. by loom manufacturers? Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that it is not good enough for labour to be supplied to firms which exploit in that way?

Sir W. Monckton

It was not the merits of the individual case that. I was dealing with, but whether the method suggested in the Question would be proper. I am advised that it would not, but I will look into the case which the hon. Gentleman mentioned.