HC Deb 21 March 1923 vol 161 cc2541-3
35. Viscount CURZON

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men out of employment in the branch of the engineering industry dependent on the manufacture of commercial motor vehicles; what are the present rates of wages of skilled and unskilled men in the industry; how they compare with

Following is the answer

The Table which follows gives particulars of the arterial road works which are at present in course of execution by the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with various highway authorities and with the London County Council. The unskilled labour engaged on these works is drawn from unemployed men resident within the area of the administrative County of London.

the wages of municipal road sweepers; whether he is aware that the year's losses of 12 commercial vehicle manufacturers disclosed by their last accounts amounted in the aggregate to £2,500,000, and that this state of affairs is due to the dumping on the British home market of thousands of war-surplus Army lorries of British and foreign origin imported from the Continent; and whether he will recommend that the further importation of war-surplus vehicles be prohibited?

Sir M. BARLOW

Information is not available as to the number of men out of employment in the branch of the engineering industry dependent on the manufacture of commercial motor vehicles, but in the engineering industry as a whole the number of workpeople, covered by the Unemployment Insurance Acts, who were registered as unemployed at 26th February in Great Britain was 191,376, or 18.8 per cent. In the principal centres of the motor engineering industry the present weekly time rates of wages of skilled fitters and turners range from 52s. to 60s. 11d. a week, and those of engineers' labourers range from 37s. 6d. to 43s. 6d. a week. The present rates of wages of road sweepers in the same districts range generally from 46s. 10d. to 58s. 10d. a week, though certain local authorities in London pay higher rates.

Viscount CURZON

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

Sir M. BARLOW

I think that is a matter for the Board of Trade.

Viscount CURZON

Will it be necessary to put a further question to the right hon. Gentleman or to the Board of Trade?

Sir M. BARLOW

I would suggest that it should be put to the Board of Trade.