§ 87. Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an estimate of the increase in printing costs which will result from the recently-granted rise in wages, reduction of hours and two weeks' holiday with pay; and to what extent does he anticipate a fall in production as a result of the shorter working week.
§ Mr. BelcherI regret that I cannot give any estimate of the rise in costs, but I am informed that there have been some increases which vary from section to section of the industry. I hope that there will be no reduction, but opinions differ within the industry and I should not tare to offer a prediction.
§ Mr. OsborneCould the hon. Gentleman say how far those increases range? He said they varied from section to section, but could he say approximately what percentage they represent?
§ Mr. BelcherI am afraid I cannot give that detailed information.