§ Mr. Kendallasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, under the standstill agreement reached between the trade unions and the National Council for the Omnibus Industry on 26th June, 1940, the standard basic rate for an omnibus driver in the Lincolnshire area totals 1s. 6¾d. per hour, whereas the basic earnings of an ordinary unskilled labourer in the same locality total 1s. 8½d. per hour; and, in view of the responsibilities borne by these omnibus drivers, will he institute an inquiry into the rates of pay and conditions of service of the privately owned omnibus undertakings to bring their lower paid operatives into a comparable position with higher paid operatives?
§ Mr. McCorquodaleThe rates of wages for employees of the private company omnibus undertakings are negotiated through the joint machinery existing between the employers and the trade unions. Any wage adjustment is a matter that should be dealt with through such machinery and my right hon. Friend therefore sees no reason for instituting any inquiry.