§ 61. Mr. BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that labour unrest is partly due to low wages of Government workers; if he can issue information of the number employed in his Department over twenty years of age, and whose wages are not more than 20s. per week; and will he undertake to pay a minimum wage of 24s. per week to all adults employed in the Department?
Mr. BUXTONThe staff of the Board is a very varied one and scattered over many parts of the United Kingdom. The rates vary according to local and other circumstances, and I am not able at the moment to give my hon. Friend the information he desires. As regards the last part of his question, my hon. Friend will understand that, in so far as these rates are general throughout the Civil Service, the matter does not rest with my Department, and even where they are rates fixed for officers under the Board of Trade only, they are usually rates sanctioned by the Treasury. I am, however, looking into the matter with a view to determining whether there are any cases in which it would be desirable to approach the Treasury for a revision of scale.
§ Mr. BARNESCan the right hon. Gentleman not get the information as to the number working at a pound per week, or not more than a pound per week?
Mr. BUXTONI could not give it in answer to the question. It would take some little time to prepare.
§ Mr. BARNESWill the right hon. Gentleman get it in course of time?