HC Deb 11 June 1931 vol 253 cc1183-4
28. Mr. REMER

asked the Minister of Labour in how many industries there have been reductions of wages since 1st June, 1929; and how many insured persons have been involved in these reductions?

Miss BONDFIELD

The available information with regard to changes in rates of wages during 1929 and 1930 is given in special articles published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for April, 1930 (pages 122–124), and April, 1931 (pages 130–132), and statistics for the first four months of 1931 are given on page 194 of the Gazette for May, 1931. I am sending the hon. Member copies of these issues of the Gazette.

Mr. REMER

Do these figures show the advantages of the continuance of Free Trade?

Mr. STEPHEN

In view of the importance of the figures, will the Minister not have them extracted from the Gazette, and put into the report?

Miss BONDFIELD

I feel that it is rather an imposition upon the staff to extract for Members of Parliament information which they can perfectly well get for themselves.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not the policy of the Tory party to reduce wages and increase hours?