§ 45. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Minister of Labour whether any guarantee of increased output has accompanied the recently announced increase of 15s. weekly in miners' wages.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)I am not aware that a guarantee of this nature is proposed as part of the projected agreement between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mine-workers relating to an increase in the minimum and day rates of wages in the coalmining industry.
§ Colonel HutchisonDoes not that conflict with the Government's stated policy that no further increases in wages can be given in this industry without some corresponding increase in output?
§ Mr. IsaacsI am not in a position to say whether or not that policy was stated, but I am in a position to state that we are getting an increase in production before the wage increase becomes effective.
§ Mr. SylvesterIn view of the recent increases in production before the wage increase is effective, would it not be far better if we had less bickering from the other side of the House?