§ 28. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Labour if he can state in convenient categories, as far as available, the number of persons in Britain whose wages and salaries are on cost-of-living basis.
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is estimated that nearly 1½ million workpeople are covered by collective agreements providing for the adjustment of wage rates in correspondence with movements in the interim index of retail prices. The great majority of these are in the building, iron and steel, boot and shoe and hosiery industries.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes not the Minister realise that this system is one of the major causes of inflation, and, in the national interest, will he do all he can to restrict it or stop it?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir; I certainly will not take any steps in that direction.