asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the evidence of long hours submitted during the hearing of a case affecting the Eldorado Ice Cream Company; and will he inquire into the conditions operating in this firm?

I have no information about this case other than the reports that have appeared in the Press. Last year, however, I made certain inquiries in connection with this class of employment, and, as stated in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on 17th November last, I came to the decision not to deal with this particular class of retail trade separately from the consideration I am giving to the regulation of wages and conditions in retail distributive trades generally.

Is the Minister aware that correspondence which I have had since this question was put down reveals an intolerable state of affairs in relation to hours and the difficulty of managers retaining their honesty as far as this firm is concerned, and will he be prepared to reconsider the matter if the correspondence is submitted to him?

I shall be glad to look at the correspondence. I have had many facts revealed to me in connection with this matter, but the House will know that we are now in the last stages of the consideration, of a unanimous report from the two sides of the industry, and I think the House will agree that it will be better to deal with all the points which have been considered rather than to take sporadic action on individuals points.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to bring this class of work under trade boards legislation?

There is another question on that point.

The right hon. Gentleman says that he has inquired into this class of work, but has he inquired into this particular company?

I said that I have had no information except from reports in the Press. If I get the facts to which the hon. Member refers I shall be glad to make inquiries about them and to approach the firm in the matter.

Does not the Minister consider 13 hours a day worth an inquiry?