HC Deb 16 March 1948 vol 448 cc1855-6
8. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give the average wages in 1947 of those engaged in the engineering industry, pottery industry, and cotton, showing separately male and female workers.

Mr. Isaacs

Particulars as to the average earnings at April, 1947, in these and other industries are set out in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for October, 1947.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Seeing that the workers are once more being called upon to save this country by working harder than ever, will my hon. Friend undertake to have the average wages published in HANSARD and similar comparable figures of the wages paid in the United States?

Mr. Isaacs

I will not give an undertaking, but I will look at it to see what is the scope of the thing.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Is the Minister aware that it is useless to give wages in terms of pounds sterling unless he also gives the real purchasing power and value of those wages?

Mr. Isaacs

I do not think it is necessary for me to give it. Every housewife knows it.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that we do not mind our figures being compared with the figures for the United States?