HC Deb 07 May 1929 vol 227 cc2025-6
8. Mr. BATEY

asked the Secretary for Mines the average daily wage paid to miners in the coal industry in March, 1920, March, 1924, and March, 1929, or the latest available date?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)

For 1920 quarterly figures only are available and the average earnings per shift in the March quarter for all classes of colliery workpeople in Great Britain was 15s. 1½d. The corresponding figures for the months of March, 1924, and February, 1929, were 10s. 3¼d. and 9s. 3d. respectively. The full figures for March, 1929, are not yet available, but they are not likely to be materially different from those of February. These figures exclude allowances in kind which, during 1928, were of the average value of about 4½d. per shift.

Mr. SHINWELL

Does that answer mean that, on the figures presented to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, the miners have suffered a loss in wages since the Tory Government came into power, of something like 6s. a week?

Commodore KING

The hon. Member has the figures. I have stated the facts and he can draw his own conclusions.

9. Mr. BATEY

asked the Secretary for Mines the average daily wage paid to miners in the County of Durham in March, 1920, March, 1924, and March, 1929, or the latest available date?

Commodore KING

For 1920 quarterly figures only are available and the average earnings per shift in the March quarter for all classes of colliery workpeople in Durham was 14s. 7½d. The corresponding figures for the months of March, 1924 and 1929, were 10s. 0½d. and 7s. 11½d. respec- tively. These figures exclude allowances in kind which, during 1928, were of the average value of 1s. 1d. per shift.

Mr. BATEY

Are we to understand from that reply, that in Durham there has been a reduction of 2s. per day since the Government came into office?

Commodore KING

The hon. Member is well aware that the wages are set by contract as between employer and employed and that they are subject to revision on appeal by either side, by an independent arbitrator.

Mr. BATEY

The fact is still there that the miners in Durham have suffered over 2s. a day reduction since this Government have been in office.

Mr. PALING

Do we understand that the payments in kind to which the hon. Member refers apply to all the years for which he has given the totals?

Commodore KING

Yes, Sir. The payments in kind are excluded.

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