§ Mr. BLACKasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a skilled engineer's wages are 56s. per week, or 17s. over pre-War scale, and that a dustman's wages are 55s. per week, or 27s. over pre-War scale; that the agricultural labourers' wages are 28s. per week, or about 10s. over pre-War scale; and whether the Government proposes to take any steps to remedy the existing inequalities and to secure a reasonable relativity of remuneration between skilled and unskilled labour?
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§ Mr. SHAWI have been asked to reply. I am aware that the differences between the pre-War and the present rates of wages in the various industries and occupations are unequal. In the case of agricultural workers, wages boards are to be appointed under the recent Act, but I am not prepared to say that similar procedure would be appropriate for the other classes mentioned by the hon. Member, and for the time being, at any rate, I think we shall have to rely on the voluntary adjustment of wages, in accordance with, old-established practice, by the employers' and workers' organisations concerned. I may add that questions relating to industrial remuneration will be discussed by the recently appointed Committee on Industry and Trade.