§ 1. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour the average adult wage per shift in the coal mines for piece work and day work at the most recent convenient date; and what were the corresponding wage rates at nationalisation.
§ The Minister of Labour and National Service (Sir Walter Monckton)Average earnings per shift for adult pieceworkers and day wage men are not separately available; nor are average wage rates. For the week ended 18th October, 1952, the estimated average cash earnings per shift of adult male workers in the coal-mining industry were 43s. 9d. The corresponding figure during the last week in April, 1947, was 26s. 5d. The values of allowances in kind for the corresponding periods (Is. 10d. in October, 1952, and 1 s. 4d. in April, 1947) are not included in these figures.
§ Mr. OsborneIn view of the fact that the average pit-head price of coal has increased from 38s. 11d. to 60s. 6d. since nationalisation, can the Minister hold out any hope of getting the miners to see that if more wages are paid to them for the same work, whatever they produce will cost more and will cause the cost of living to rise still further?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe National Coal Board, in conjunction and co-operation with the National Union of Mineworkers, are now entering upon a campaign to get better productivity from the mines, which is what I think my hon. Friend has in mind.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that attempts are being made in certain quarters, political and otherwise, to create prejudice against the miners in order to create prejudice against nationalisation?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI hope that the right hon. Gentleman will acquit me in my answer from taking any such course.
§ Mr. Shinwellindicated assent.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs not the real point what the figures which my right hon. and learned Friend has just given are worth? Is not the real trouble that the purchasing power of the £ sterling has nearly halved, because of six years of Socialist Government, which killed initiative and ruined our credit?
§ Mr. G. JegerCould the Minister make arrangements for hon. Gentlemen on the Government side of the House to go down a coal mine and do a few shifts in order to make up their minds whether they think the miners earn their money?
§ Mr. OsborneOn a point of order. Could I be allowed to say, in view of some of the remarks——
§ 14. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies there are for experienced coal miners in Scotland; and in which areas these vacancies occur.
§ Sir W. MoncktonOne hundred and sixty-four additional experienced coal miners are required. The vacancies are in East and West Ayr.
§ Mr. HamiltonIn view of the fact that the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) and other hon. Members opposite seem to think that the wages in the coalmining industry are so very attractive, how does the right hon. and learned Gentleman account for these vacancies?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI am glad to say, whatever the reason, that the number of wage-earners on the colliery books in Scotland remains steady at about 85,000.