§ 34. Sir HENRY JACKSONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the production of gas mantles in this country during the last quarter of 1483 1928 and, for comparison, the production during the last quarter of 1927; and the number of people employed in the industry during each of these two periods.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Herbert Williams)Complete data regarding the production of gas mantles in this country in the quarters specified are not available. From the information supplied to me by the manufacturers, it is estimated that the numbers produced were about 107,000 gross in the last quarter of 1928, as compared with 91,000 gross in the corresponding quarter of 1927, and that the average numbers of workers in the two periods were approximately 2,200 and 2,000 respectively.
§ Sir H. JACKSONCan the hon. Gentleman tell me the number of hours worked in each of the two quarters?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI should require notice in order to give the exact figures, but I think the regularity of work was Higher in the latter than in the former period.
§ Mr. KELLYHas the hon. Gentleman any information regarding increases of wages during these two periods?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI do not know whether the hon. Member is referring to wages paid or wage rates.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe total wages paid were higher in the latter period than in the former period.
Mr. BENNCan the hon. Gentleman give the sum total of the bonus which the users of gas mantles in this country have to pay to the German combine, under the terms of the arrangement?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI am not acquainted with the amount of the bonus, but I am certain that, if any other industry had been able to make a bargain so advantageous, they would have done so.