§ 29. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Labour what are the estimated average weekly earnings of men, classified by his Department as light labourers, in Glasgow, Birmingham and London, respectively.
§ Mr. GodberIt has been estimated from local knowledge that the weekly earnings of light labourers in Glasgow, Birmingham and London are, approximately £8 15s. to £10 3s., £11 and £10 to £10 10s., respectively.
§ Mr. LawsonDoes not this show how great the differences can be in the estimated earning power of men in different parts of the country? Does it not bring out the possibility of there being very great injustice in the application of the wages stop to the earning power of men in the different parts so that they may be getting substantially different sums alhough their needs are precisely the same?
§ Mr. GodberI see the hon. Member's point that these variations can be harmful. I will gladly look at individual cases, but in general we must retain the principle that a man should be classified for the type of job for which he can be put forward when a vacancy arises.