40. Mr. Geoffrey Wilsonasked the Minister of Power whether he will state the average wage of mineworkers in every year from 1946 to 1964, inclusive, giving the dates on which the wage rises were awarded; what was the average price of coal in those years; how much the increased price was due to rises in wages; and to what extent such rises were matched by increases in productivity.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe figures are:
about a third of the increase in wages has been absorbed by increased productivity, but for the last five years the productivity 191W increase has been more than sufficient to cover wage increases.
These refer to daywagemen. The rates for piece-workers are settled from time to time by local negotiations.