HC Deb 19 November 1941 vol 376 c296
46. Major Vyvyan Adams

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now take measures to correct (he disparity of reward paid to the workers in industry and to the men serving in the ranks of the fighting services?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on nth November to similar Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Finchley (Mr. Crowder) and Swindon (Mr. Wakefield).

Major Adams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that was a negative reply? When the workers are being rewarded so generously how can the right hon. Gentleman defend the pay of the private soldier?

Mr. Attlee

The Prime Minister indicated in reply to a Supplementary Question that the matter could not be gone into fully in reply to a Question.

Major Adams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we raise these matters in Debate but we get no satisfactory answers? Have the Government considered the post-war consequences of this disparity, and are they not aware that at the end of the last war we were faithfully promised that this kind of disparity would not be allowed to recur?

Sir Irving Albery

Will the Government consider as a first step regulating the payment of young persons under 18?

Dr. Russell Thomas

Does it not suggest to the Government they never had a proper wages policy?

Mr. Gordon Macdonald

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that these high wages refer to very long hours?

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