§ Mr. J. BROWNasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Trade Board in Scotland is refusing to settle a weekly rate in the laundry trade; whether the Trade Board is within its rights in refusing a weekly rate and insisting on an hourly rate; and whether he will take steps to compel the Trade Board to adopt weekly rates if the laundry workers desire it to do so?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThere is not a separate Trade Board for the laundry trade in Scotland, and I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Laundry Trade Board (Great Britain). I was recently advised that serious doubt attached to certain provisions of the determinations of this Trade Board which purported to make the payment of wages for a full week of 48 hours compulsory, whatever the actual number of hours of employ- 2451W ment, except under certain specified conditions. I communicated this advice to the Trade Board, and at a meeting held on the 14th and 15th October the Board unanimously resolved to remove the doubtful provisions. With regard to the second part of the question, the advice I have received is that any provision for the payment of a fixed wage irrespective of the actual period of employment would not be legally enforceable. I may add that no other Trade Board has fixed rates on this basis. The last part of the question does not arise.