Brigadier-General PALMERasked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to increase the wages of laundry women; and, if so, what is the reason for doing so at a time when wages are falling in 82W other employments and when it will create further unemployed when there are already some 50,000 laundry workers out of work?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the rates of wages paid by the Laundry Trade Board. No advances on the rates which became operative on 30th May are under contemplation by the Board. My hon. and gallant Friend is, I think, misinformed as to the state of employment in the laundry trade. Out of over 90,000 workers engaged in laundry work there were on 6th May 5,923 of all ages registered as unemployed.