§ Mr. LOUGHasked what was the total average increase of wages obtained by the whole body or any considerable sections of railway servants under the working Agreement of 1907; and how such increases, if any, compare with the rise of wages of railway workers during the same period in Germany or France or other European countries?
Mr. BUXTONThe information in my possession does not enable me to state the average increase of wages obtained under 19 the Agreement of 1907, or to compare the rise in wages of railway servants in this and other countries since that time. Such information as is available as to changes in the earnings of railway workers in this country is contained in the Annual Reports of the Board of Trade on Changes in Wages and Hours of Labour, while certain particulars of changes arranged by the methods provided for under the Agreement of 1907 are given in the Return (Cd. 5332).
§ Mr. LOUGHasked whether the President of the Board of Trade had received copies of schedules of increases of wages now proposed by any great railway companies; if so, what are the companies; what classes of workers will be benefited; and what are the average rates of increases to be conceded immediately and within any reasonable time?
Mr. BUXTONCopies of schedules of increases of wages of railway servants have not yet been received, but will be asked for in due course.