§ 11. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Bristol is one of the lowest-paid districts in wages; that in the recent dispute for higher wages this district was unable to get an advance; and will he say what steps his Department are taking to improve their condition?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I understand that an agreement has been arrived at between the two sides under which the whole of the proceeds of the recent voluntary increases in contract prices will go to augment wages, with the result that increases varying from 2d. to 4d. per shift, according to the various grades of labour, will be in operation for a period of six months.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the increase in prices range from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per ton, and does he think that those increases should bring an increase of only 4d. per day to the men? Will he cause further inquiry to be made to ascertain whether these men are getting justice?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThis question deals only with the Bristol area, and that area, as the hon. Member knows, has its own peculiar difficulties.
§ Mr. TINKERDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman think 4d. a day increase is sufficient when the public expected that these workers would get much higher rates of pay?
§ Mr. R. J. TAYLORIn speaking of these wages advances of 4d. and 2d., the hon. and gallant Gentleman said there were peculiar circumstances in the Bristol area. Is he aware that in Northumberland we got only 6d. and 3d., and does he think that there must be some peculiar conditions there also?