HC Deb 14 March 1912 vol 35 cc1254-5
Mr. HUNT

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average weekly rate of wages in the United States of engine drivers, firemen, goods porters, permanent way labourers, and platelayers?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)

According to the latest report of the Interstate Commercial Department of the United States, the average daily earnings of engine drivers was 18s. 6d., of firemen 11s. 1½d., and of permanent way labourers 5s. 9d. in 1909. The earnings of goods porters and platelayers are not separately shown.

Mr. HUNT

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why these wages are so much higher in protected than in our Free Trade country?

Mr. ROBERTSON

These are not protected trades, so I am afraid that that question is not relevant.

Mr. HUNT

Does not the protection affect all trades by keeping wages up?