§ 8. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour, in view of the facts, as disclosed by the Ministry of Labour Gazette, that the changes in weekly wages of workpeople continue to show a net decrease during the first three months of 1934 against a similar period in 1933; what steps the Government are proposing to take to reverse this process?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONWhile the general level of wage rates, in the first quarter of this year, appears to have been slightly lower on average, than in the first quarter of 1933, the downward tendency which was in evidence in the early months of 1933 has, in fact, been reversed in recent months, with the result that the average level at the present date is slightly higher than at the beginning of May, 1933. Moreover, actual weekly earnings have increased, on average, to a greater extent than rates of wages, owing to the improvement in the state of employment during the past year.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes not the Minister agree that the situation is still far from satisfactory when wages continue to decline?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have just pointed out that wages are not continuing to decline.
§ Mr. MANDERBut am I not quoting from figures given in a reply by the Minister himself?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have not the slightest idea from what the hon. Gentleman is quoting.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo.