HC Deb 14 June 1965 vol 714 cc24-6
27. Mr. Norwood

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Foyle's, the booksellers, have contracted to employ an adult man at a weekly rate less than that laid down by the relevant wages council, particulars of which have been sent to him; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Thornton

The particulars sent to me by my hon. Friend do not necessarily show that any workers are actually being paid less than the statutory minimum wages council rates. My right hon. Friend will, however, arrange for inquiries to be made.

Mr. Norwood

In thanking my hon. Friend for the second part of that Answer, may I ask whether he does not agree that a contract offering £9 10s. per week for an adult man is ludicrous as against a wages council rate of £10 2s. per week? Is he not aware that the wages council procedure is being used as a excuse by employers, as in this case, for denying negotiating rights to unions, and that it is, therefore, all the more important that this procedure should be properly enforced?

Mr. Thornton

I note the last point of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. In regard to the first part, it is not an offence under the Wages Council Act, 1959, for a contract between a worker covered by a Wages Regulation Order and his employer to provide for less than the statutory minimum remuneration. Section 12(1) of the Act provides, however, that in such a case the contract shall have effect as if the statutory minimum remuneration were substituted for that lesser remuneration. The employer is, therefore, bound to pay not less than the statutory minimum, otherwise he commits an offence.

35. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Labour how often shop premises are inspected in the London area; and when was the last inspection made of the premises of Foyle's in Charing Cross Road.

Mr. Thornton

The enforcement of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963, in shop premises is generally a matter for local authorities, who in- elude statistics of inspections in their annual reports. The appropriate local authority is responsible for particular questions relating to the inspection of individual premises.

Mr. Hamilton

Cannot my hon. Friend be more specific? Has not he taken the trouble to find out when these premises were last inspected? Is he aware that all the evidence that we have on this side of the House shows that this particular firm is contravening the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, the Contracts of Employment Act, and a Wages Council Order? Is it not time that something was done to get rid of these disgraceful working conditions for these people?

Mr. Thornton

The information which my hon. Friend requests in his main Question is not available to my Department.