§ Mr. JESSONasked the Minister of Labour whether, by the ruling of the Industrial Court, tin and lead miners who are members of the dockers' and other unions that were parties to the recent arbitration, will also receive a minimum of 16s. per day; if not, why discrimination is to be made between members of the same union; and can he state approximately what are the wages of the tin and lead miners belonging to these unions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Report of the Court of Inquiry appointed under the Industrial Courts Act, which recommended a minimum of 16s. per day for dock labour, was adopted by the National Council of Port Labour Employers and the National Transport Workers' Federation by agreement. The agreement applies only to dock labour and not to all members of unions who may be affiliated to the National Transport Workers' Federation. The wages of men1106W employed at tin and lead mines vary considerably in different occupations. It has recently been arranged that at tin mines in Cornwall no efficient man shall receive less than 45s. a week, but the earnings of the majority of the workmen are considerably higher, and returns received from representative firms, relating to the last week in April, 1920, show average earnings of 52s. 9d. for all classes of work-people (skilled and unskilled, and including youths and boys). At lead mines the rates of wages vary at different mines. The average earnings shown by returns received from certain firms relating to lead and zinc mines were 58s. 11d. in the week ended 24th April.