§ Sir D. NEWTONasked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the position of the Grocery and Provisions Trade Board (England and Wales); and what action he proposes to take in connection therewith?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThis Trade Board, as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, has been in existence for a number of years without statutory rates of wages coming into force, and I am anxious to reach a final settlement which will leave no doubt as to the future of the Board. After consultation with the representatives of employers and of workers on the Board, I find that it is still a matter of dispute and uncertainty whether conditions in the trade are such as to make the operation of statutory conditions advisable. In these circumstances, I458W have made arrangements to undertake at once an inquiry into the conditions actually prevailing in the trade, and will reach a decision upon the results of that inquiry.