HC Deb 09 November 1933 vol 281 cc326-7W
Major PROCTER

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the violation of the agreements which were made with the approval of the Ministry of Labour between the employers and employés in the cotton industry; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving such agreements statutory effect?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I have endeavoured to assist the parties in their consideration of the position by an inquiry into the conditions operative in the mills in certain areas, and the facts thus ascertained have been communicated to the representatives of both sides. The situation is receiving the anxious consideration of the organisations concerned, but, so far, no definite proposal for remedying the position acceptable to both sides has been made. I do not understand that the statutory regulation of working conditions is generally desired and, in these circumstances, while I am prepared to examine carefully any specific proposal made to me on behalf of the industry, I cannot usefully express any view on the suggestion made in the question.

Unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in London Administrative County and City.
Employment Exchange. 23rd October, 1933. 24th October, 1932.
Battersea 7,993 10,194
Bermondsey 4.731 7,082
Borough 13,178 15,234
Brixton 7,343 8,574
Camberwell 7,975 10,372
Camden Town 6,690 8,154
City 6,293 7,370
Denmark Street (London Hotel and Catering Trades) 742 746
Deptford 6,774 8,839
Edgware Road 10,051 12,727
Great Marlbro' Street 747 740
Hackney 9,284 12,027
Holloway 7,028 9,146
King's Cross 8,661 9,817
Lewisham 3,962 5,066
Poplar 8,212 9,742
Shepherds Bush 8,945 11,356
Shoreditch 7,949 10,036
Stepney 8,600 10,012
Tavistock Street (London Building Trades) 376 654
Tooting 4,526 5,933
Walham Green 7,468 9,085
Westminster 3,066 3,377
Woolwich 4,934 7,075
Total 155.528 193,358

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