§ Mr. HINDSasked the Minister of Labour whether he has received complaints as to the grouping of millinery and dressmaking trades under one trade board; and whether the trades affected would be more satisfactorily dealt with if the millinery trade be separated from the hat and cap trade, with which it is at present grouped, and one board formed to deal with drapery, millinery, and dressmaking employés, as distinct from factory employés?
§ Sir M. BARLOWMy hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. There are separate trade boards for the hat, cap, and millinery trade and for the dressmaking and women's light clothing trade. The question whether separate boards should be established for the wholesale section and the retail bespoke section of the dressmaking and women's light clothing trade was carefully considered in consultation with persons affected at the time when the existing board was set up, and I am informed that there was general agreement at that time that it was impossible to separate the two sections of the trade. If, when the trade boards concerned have had further experience of the present arrangement, they are satisfied that it gives rise to considerable difficulties, I shall be glad to consider again in consultation with the boards whether it is possible to make a clear line of demarcation between the two sections.
§ Mr. HINDSasked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to secure proper representation of all trades affected on all Trade Boards?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe regulations constituting a trade board provide that the members of the board (apart from the apponited members) shall be representatives of employers in the trade and of workers in the trade in equal numbers. 83W In making appointments to the board, all associations of employers and employed are, so far as possible, consulted, and great care is taken to give adequate representation to various branches of the trade and to the various districts in which the trade is carried on.