35. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister whether, with the object of enlightening the public as to the facts of the present coal dispute, the Government will arrange for the issue of a 712 statement giving particulars of the former rates of pay of colliery workers, distinguishing between men, youths, boys, and women; the proposed new district rates which have been refused; and the profits, if any, which the payment of those rates would have allowed to the owners; and if he will have included in such Return a comparison of pre-War and present rates of pay, hours of work, and output, and a comparison of the coal production costs of this country and of other countries with which the British coal trade has to compete?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIn view of the large number of different classes of colliery workers, and the variety of wages, not only as between district and district and between class and class, but also within a single class in a single district, and the variety also of earnings among persons on the same rates of wages, it is difficult to give comprehensive information on the lines suggested which either is not so long and detailed as to-be confusing, or on the other hand does not include averaged figures which may mislead. I recognise, however, the importance of giving as full information as possible on this subject, and I am considering in what form I can most usefully supply it. But I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the wages offered by the owners, though they have been communicated to the miners in each district, have not yet formed the subject of negotiations between them.
Sir F. HALLBut does my right hon. Friend recognise the fact that when there is a question of wages being discussed we always hear of average wages? There is no attempt to draw attention to wages paid to boys, women and all those other people. Is he aware that they are all lumped together to look as if there were a tremendous reduction of wages?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI think it is much better to let the owners and miners discuss this matter before we go into details here.