§ Mr. Gourlayasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the comparable figure of the Retail Food Price Index as at 31st March, 1960, taking the figure as 100 on 31st March, 1955.
60W
Industry and Occupation December, 1945 December, 1958 December, 1960 per week per week per week Railways:— s. d. s. d. s. d. Engine drivers (according to year in grade) (a). 113 6 to 204 0 to 234 0 to 126 6 229 0 260 0 (b) Passenger porters, grade 2 (in industrial areas excluding London) 85 0 151 6 (commencing rate) 168 0 156 0 168 0 (after 2 years) Coal-mining (c):— Underground workers … … 100 0 197 6 202 6 Surface workers … … … 90 0 177 6 182 6 Engineering (average of recognised district time rates in 16 principal centres in United Kingdom):— Fitters and turners … … 97 2 187 10 187 10 Labourers … … … 80 4 157 11 158 10 (a) Extra payment is also made when performing over a certain mileage per day. (b) Rates quoted relate to drivers employed on train driving and are subject to an addition of 6s. a week for staff employed in the London Area. Previously workers stationed in the London Area received a rent allowance of 3s. a week. (c) The rates quoted are the national minimum and in 1946 included the value of allowances in kind.
§ Mr. P. ThomasTaking the index for the food group of the retail prices index as 100 on 15th March, 1955, the index for 15th March, 1960, was 113.