§ Mr. DEVLINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will direct that in future the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette," in so far as the linen trade is concerned, shall contain separate reports for Scotland and Ireland, instead of, as at present, for both countries; and that, in the case of Ireland in addition to the total amount of workers' earnings per week, details shall be given of the proportion earned by weavers, spinners, and preparers, including the numbers of each of these grades employed?
§ Mr. PRETYMANSeparate reports are already given in the "Labour Gazette" for Scotland and Ireland, so far as is practicable. It has not, however, been found possible to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member as regards the earnings of preparers, spinners, and weavers.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the name of the correspondent from whom the Reports on the linen trade are obtained which are published in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette," the amount of his salary, and the sources from which he obtains his information?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThere are four paid local correspondents reportinginter alia upon the linen trade, one at Belfast, two in Scotland and one in England. They are paid by fee, three at the rate of £25 1641W per annum and one at £20. These correspondents obtain their information from trade union officials, but most of the information received concerning this industry is obtained from monthly returns received direct from the principal employers in the trade.