§ 10. Mr. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Berlin printing firm of Otto Elsner, when canvassing for business in this country, base their estimates upon a payment to what they call their dearest workmen, the machine operators, of 650 marks weekly, or less than 20s. at present values, which they compare with 92s. 6d. paid weekly to a corresponding London workman; and whether the information in his Department confirms this figure of German wages.
§ Mr. BALDWINThis question is one for the Minister of Labour, but my right hon. Friend, who cannot be in the House at this moment, has asked me to read his reply, which is as follows: "The circumstance mentioned by my hon. Friend had not been brought to my notice. I understand that the rate of wage cited for printing machine operators in 5 Berlin is approximately correct, but that the rate for the corresponding class of worker in London is 100s., and not 92s. 6d."