§ 48. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the information in the hands of his Department with reference to the present rates of money wages as compared with the average level cost of living of the working-class population?
§ Mr. GRAYAt 1st September, 1931, the average level of working-class cost of living, as indicated by the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Labour, was approximately 45 per cent. above the level 362 of July, 1914. As regards rates of wages, the information in my possession is insufficient to provide a basis for precise calculations, but it is estimated, from such particulars as are available, that for workpeople of corresponding grades weekly full time rates of wages are about 70 per cent. on average, above the level of July, 1914.
§ Mr. DAYCan the hon. Gentleman say whether, in these computations, rent was taken into consideration?
§ Mr. GRAYYes, Sir, rent is taken into consideration. It is quite the normal calculation according to the methods adopted in arriving at the cost-of-living figure.
Mr. RICHARDSONIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that at least 33 per cent. of the miners in Durham are not 20 per cent. above the datum line?
§ Mr. MARLEYIs this estimated rent on a comparable basis with the £700 allowed in lieu of residence to the Serjeant-at-Arms?