asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the fact that 1,524 solicitors are listed in his Department, and that only 24 inspections were made in 1948, and that eight breaches of statutory provisions were reported (that is 33? per cent.), he will state what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the statutory Orders of the Labour Court in respect of decisions of the Joint Labour Committee for Law Clerks are being observed by solicitors to whom such Orders apply.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions of Law Clerks.
I may remind the Deputy (1) that the Law Clerks' Joint Labour Committee Regulations were first made on 28th May, 1948, and were only applied to the present range of employees in November, 1948, and (2) that the 1,524 solicitors mentioned are not all necessarily employers.
I consider that the steps taken to enforce the Orders are as satisfactory as can be expected bearing in mind the time during which these Orders are in force. If the Deputy has in mind any cases where infringements of the Order are suspected or where the unions concerned are aware of such cases, I shall be glad to hear of them.
The Minister is aware that the main reason for having a Joint Labour Committee established was the impossibility of affording reasonable protection for these employees through the normal trade union channels. If, out of 24 cases inspected, eight breaches of statutory provisions were reported, surely there is need to improve the inspectorial work in order to ensure that this committee is assisted in doing its work?
I think the Deputy can take it that the rate of inspection will be speeded up.