§ 41. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Minister of Labour the actual cash increase and the percentage increase, between August, 1946, and the latest convenient date in 1954, in the average weekly earnings per male wage-earner of all workers in all industries, and in the coalmining industry, respectively.
§ Mr. WatkinsonFigures are not available for August, 1946. During the period October, 1946, to April-May, 1954, there was an increase of 76s. 11d. or about 64 per cent. in the average weekly earnings of adult male wage-earners in the manufacturing industries generally together with a number of the principal non-manufacturing industries. Between October, 1946, and May, 1954, the average weekly cash earnings of all adult male workers in the coalmining industry rose by 112s. 6d. or about 78 per cent.
§ Mr. JohnsonMay I ask my hon. Friend if he is aware that the general public will read these figures with great interest in the light of the evident reluctance of the party opposite to the payment of another 1s. a week for the benefit of the old people, one of whose major difficulties is the high price of coal?
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Minister aware that, in answer to a Question by me a month ago, he told me that there are 19 million people in this country who, after deductions for tax and insurance, have less than £10 per week?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat has nothing to do with the Question. I was asked to give the average weekly earnings of people engaged in manufacturing industry and in coalmining, and I have given them.