HC Deb 16 September 1915 vol 74 c146
13. Mr. ELLIS DAVIES

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give figures showing the increase in the wages of the manual workers of the country since the beginning of the War, in the same way as the increase in the price of food is shown in the "Labour Gazette" to have been 33 per cent.?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Information is given in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette" with regard to changes in rates of wages, so far as reported, but full particulars are not available as to the increase in total earnings since the War, due in part to good employment and a large amount of overtime. It may be remarked that the percentage rise in food prices should only be applied to that portion of income which is spent on food and that therefore a comparison of the percentage rise in food prices and in total wages would be misleading.

Mr. E. DAVIES

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of what has been the increase in the last twelve months in wages?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I think the amount might possibly be arrived at, but I could not say how far it would be due to good employment or to a large amount of overtime work.