§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Labour whether he is keeping under observation the effect of war-time conditions on the lives of employés in the distributive trades; and, in particular, whether he will institute measures to ensure that such employés shall be released from work within a period of 15 minutes from the official hour of closing?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have no authority to impose such a condition of employment in the retail distributive trades as that to which the hon. Member refers. As the hon. Member will be aware there have been discussions between representatives of the employers and workers in these trades as to the best method of regulating wages and working conditions, and I have no doubt that further consultations may be necessary in the light of the conditions arising out of the war.