§ Sir F. WISEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the approximate weekly wages paid in the mining, heavy textile, iron and steel, engineering, shipbuilding and mercantile marine industries in Great Britain, France, Belgium and Germany?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have been asked to reply. Comprehensive statistics are not available as to the earnings of workpeople in these industries in Great Britain, but some information on the subject was published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for February, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. A general inquiry into the earnings of workpeople in these and other industries is now being undertaken by the Ministry of Labour. Owing to the inadequacy and incomparability of the official statistical data published in the various countries, I am unable to supply the international comparisons desired. I have certain figures which I can show to my hon. Friend, but they are not sufficiently comprehensive to warrant my publishing them.