§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the low rates of remuneration paid to the various classes of men engaged in the jewellery and watchmaking trade in Scotland; whether he is aware that fully one-third of the men engaged are earning only £2 10s. to £3 per week; whether representations have been made to the employers by the National Union of Gold, Silver, and Allied Trades for an advance on such rates or for arbitration, and that both requests have been refused, with no offer by the employers; and whether, having regard to the conditions prevailing in this trade in Scotland, he will consider the establishment of a Trade Board in order to bring these workers approximately into line with the English conditions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have received no representations as to the payment of low wages to workers in the jewellery and watchmaking trade in Scotland, and I have no information with regard to the application for an advance on present rates referred to in the question. I will, however, inquire into the matter. With reference to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I propose to have an investigation made, as soon as practicable, into the conditions prevailing in the trade throughout Great Britain, with a view to ascertaining whether the establishment of a Trade Board for the trade or any branch of the trade is desirable.