HC Deb 22 March 1932 vol 263 c864
41. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour if he has any information about the hours of labour and pay for Russian workmen in the felling timber camps under the control of the Soviet Government?

Mr. HUDSON

According to "Voprosy Truda," the monthly journal of the Russian Commissariat of Labour, the average daily earnings of Russian forestry workers in the first quarter of 1931 were 201 copecks for foot workers and 351 copecks for mounted workers. As regards hours of labour, the latest information in my possession relates to February-March, 1929, when the average length of the working day was reported, in a publication issued by the U.S.S.R. State Planning Commission, to be 11.3 hours, including breaks of about 1.3 hours.

Sir F. HALL

How much is that in English money?

Mr. HUDSON

At the nominal parity of exchange, one copeck, in the first quarter of 1931, was slightly over a farthing.

Sir F. HALL

I hope that hon. Members will "Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest."