§ Mr. RAPERasked the Home Secretary when a catering trade board or boards for this trade will be set up to deal with the low wages prevailing in certain branches of the catering trade, and which, in certain instances, are responsible for grave evils?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to reply. I need hardly say that I fully share my hon. and gallant Friend's desire for the speedy establishment of trade boards for the catering trades under which are included light refreshment establishments, boarding houses, hotels and restaurants, public-houses and similar establishments. Inquiries and negotiations have been actively proceeding in these trades for some considerable time with a view to the establishment of trade boards. Owing to the complexity of the interests involved it has not yet been possible to overcome the difficulties of demarcation which the investigations have brought to light. In this connection I would ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind that it is the policy of the Ministry of Labour to secure the agreement of those concerned, as the responsible work of trade boards is then likely to be carried out with greater satisfaction. I have been able to secure general agreement to the 889W application of the Acts to the catering trades in England and Wales, but there is at present considerable opposition to such action among employers in Scotland.