§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a very large number of labourers who are working for the Steel Ingot Makers' Association have already received a reduction during the last 12 months of about 37s. per week; that some of the lower paid labourers are now working for about 33s. per week; and, seeing that the purchasing power of such wages is very much below the purchasing power of wages paid in 1914, will he take action in the matter
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI understand that the wages of these labourers are regulated by an Agreement between the employers' and workers' organisations, and I do not think that I can take any action in the matter.
§ Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the shipowners in the various shipping centres in the various parts of the country and the Port of London Authority are demanding a reduction of 2s. per day from the men working in the docks; that the dock workers have already had a reduction of 24s. per week; that the price of commodities is on the increase; that the wage earners in all parts of the country are protesting against the reductions which the shipowners and other employers of labour in all parts of the country are insisting upon; and that, in consequence of the increased cost of living, wage earners are in a worse position than they were in 1914: how many wage earners have received a reduction in their pay, and 1696W what is the total amount of reductions per week during the last six months; and he will take action in the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware of the proposal to reduce the rate of wages of dock workers. This proposal is at present the subject of negotiations between the employers' and workers' organisations, which I hope will result in a settlement of the matter. During the first six months of this year the changes in rates of wages reported to my Department resulted in an aggregate reduction of, approximately, £2,700,000 in the weekly full-time rates of wages of 7,150,000 work-people. The figures relate in the main to organised groups of wage earners and exclude changes in the wages of agricultural workers, domestic servants, Government employés, police, shop assistants and clerks, as to whom statistics are not available.
§ Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Engineering Employers' Federation insisted upon a wage reduction of 16s. 6d. per week, 5s. 6d. to be taken off commencing Monday, 31st July, 1922, 5s. 6d. on 28th August and Ss. 6d. on 25th September; that a ballot of the members affected has been taken; that the men voted down by a majority of 26,963: that, although the men have voted the reduction down, the employers have posted up a. notice that the reductions will operate commencing from Monday, 31st July; that the members affiliated to the federation of engineering and shipbuilding unions have also taken a ballot upon the same questions, and they voted it down by a majority of 16,005; whether the Government agree to the methods of conciliation that have been exercised by the members of the Engineering Employers' Federation; if he is aware that the men in question have already had a reduction of 6s. plus 12½per cent.; that when the full reduction has been completed it will mean that some of the labourers will only receive about 35s. per week: and that the cost of living is now 84 per cent., as shown by the Labour Gazette figures, over and above 1914; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware of the, facts to which my hon. Friend refers, but I do not think that I can take any action in the matter.