HC Deb 09 May 1927 vol 206 cc4-6
7. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how the present rates of pay of the Bombay mill-hands compare with pre-War rates; and what the real wages are when the altered cost of living is taken into consideration as compared to 1913–14?

Earl WINTERTON

As the reply contains figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

While I do not want to press the Noble Lord, may I ask whether the comparison shows that the rates of pay now earned by these Indian millhands are materially better that pre-War, and whether that fact is taken into consideration in regard to the cost of living?

Earl WINTERTON

Yes, Sir. I will read part of the reply: The cost of living index for Bombay city compiled by the Labour Office shows for February, 1927, an increase of 55 per cent. over July, 1914. On this basis the increase in the real wages of mill-hands in Bombay city would be 21 per cent. since 1914.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can the Noble Lord give the sterling equivalent when the answer is circulated, especially in the earlier period before the War?

Earl WINTERTON

It is impossible to give the sterling equivalent, which is an utterly inaccurate comparison, because the exchange has fluctuated so much.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Would not the giving of sterling equivalent of such increases not only be misleading because of the exchange but entirely misleading because of the different values in the different countries?

Mr. JOHNSTON

Has the Noble Lord taken cognisance of the compulsory deductions from these wage's, which have to be paid by the wage-earners?

Earl WINTERTON

Yes, Sir. This is a matter for the Government of Bombay and I am giving my figures from the reports issued by the Government of Bombay from time to time, and full allowance is made for the deductions to which the hon. Member refers.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

In answer to a question of mine a few days ago the Noble Lord gave the rates of wages of millworkers in Bombay in sterling at that date. Would it not be possible to do that in this case?

Earl WINTERTON

I will consider the matter, but I think it is placing unnecessary trouble upon the Department concerned in searching for the, particular rates of exchange in a particular year. I think the hon. and gallant Member ought to be satisfied with the figures I have given. Although I will go into the matter, I warn the hon. and gallant Member that you cannot make an accurate computation of a fluctuating exchange.

Commander WILLIAMS

Are the deductions to which the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston) refers subscriptions to trade unions?

Following is the statement:

A Report published by the Bombay Labour Office in 1925 gave the following averages of monthly earning for all mill-hands in the Presidency:

Rs. as. p.
May, 1914 … … 14 11 11
August, 1923 … … 28 9 1

The 1923 figure may be assumed to represent a close approximation to present earnings and gives an increase of 93.7 per cent. over 1914.

The corresponding figures for Bombay City were

Rs. as. p.
May, 1914 … … 16 6 3
August, 1923 … … 30 10 1

giving an increase of 86.9 per cent. Over 1914.

The cost-of-living index for Bombay City compiled by the Labour Office shows for February, 1927, an increase of 55 per cent. over July, 1914. On this basis the increase in the real wages of mill-hands in Bombay City would be 21 per cent. since 1914.