HC Deb 25 May 1927 vol 206 cc1986-7
15. Mr. CECIL WILSON

asked the Minister of Labour for each of the periods 1896 to 1905, 1906 to 1914, 1915 to 1918, and 1919 to 1926, the number of working days lost, and in each case the percentage loss to the total working days, the proportion of such percentage due to disputes for increase in wages and disputes against proposed reductions in wages, respectively; and the same percentages as the foregoing if disputes in the mining industry are excluded?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

As the reply involves a considerable number of figures, I propose, with the permission of the hon. Member, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

Table 1I.—Disputes in Industries other than Mining and Quarrying.
Millions. Millions. Millions. Millions.
Total number of working days lost owing to disputes. 24.7 47.7 12.5 103.9
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
Estimated percentage which such days lost formed of the aggregate working time of the employé population. 0.05 0.11 * 0.25
Included in the foregoing percentage as due to—
(a) Disputes principally or solely for increases in wages. 0.02 0.04 * 0.07
(b) Disputes principally or solely against reductions in wages. 0.01 0.02 * 0.07
* Percentage very small, but indeterminate, owing to absence of satisfactory data as to aggregate numbers in employment during the war years.