§ 10. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation for a minimum wage policy to be enforceable by law.
§ Mr. HareMinimum wages are at present enforceable by law in agriculture and the industries where there are Wages Councils appointed under the Wages Councils Act. In other industries these matters are discussed by the joint negotiating body on which both sides are powerfully represented. I do not consider further legislation to enforce minimum wages is necessary or desirable.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposal contained in the Question is taken bodily from a statement made by his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in a book he wrote several years ago? Is he repudiating the proposal made by his right hon. Friend?
§ Mr. HareI think that the right hon. Gentleman will know that time passes on. I am sure that he would be the first to say that he does not believe today everything that he believed, say, twenty years ago.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhile expressing no opinion about the right hon. Gentleman's observation of a personal character, may I ask him to be good enough to consult his right hon. Friend to see if he can persuade him to revert to his original idea?