§ 20. Captain BAGLEYasked the Minister of Labour if he will collect and give this House at an early date information as to the present average output per hour of workers in various industries as compared with their output before the War; and whether, in view of the primary importance of the question in relation to national and international policy, he will endeavour to supply such information from time to time in regard to workers of as many nations as possible?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of LABOUR (Mr. Wardle)I am afraid it would not be possible to obtain the information which my hon. Friend desires. There is no general information available as to the average output per hour of workers in the various industries before the War, and, accordingly, even if it were possible to obtain this information in regard to the present time, no inferences could safely be drawn as to the output per hour now as compared, with that before the War. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is, however, being consulted with a view to ascertaining what information is procurable on the subject of output, and if it is found that information is obtainable of a kind that is likely to be useful, and could be published, I shall be glad to lay it before the House.
§ Captain BAGLEYDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that this question is a vital one in regard to nationalisation, foreign 947 competition, and prices, and does he realise that the information published in the "Labour Gazette" in regard to wages paid in various nations is valueless without some information in regard to the work that is done for those wages?
§ Mr. WARDLEI promise that the hon. Member will get all the information that can be obtained.
§ Mr. SWANWill the hon. Gentleman find out how much meat is given to the miners to enable them to follow their employment in the county of Durham? The shortage of meat is deterring their output.
§ Mr. WARDLEDoes the hon. Member mean rationed meat?
§ Mr. WARDLEI will inquire.