§ Mr. SWANasked the Minister of Labour the number of workers in 1991 and since the beginning of this year that have had their wages reduced; what the weekly reductions amount to; and if he can give approximately the total wage reduction for 1921 and up to the end of May, 1922?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn the industries for which statistics are compiled by the Ministry of Labour, the total number of workpeople whose wages were reduced between the beginning of 1921 and the end of May, 1922, so far as reported to the Department, was approximately 7,400,000. The aggregate reduction in the weekly full-time rates of wages of these workpeople during that period was approximately £8,300,000, of which about £6,000,000 took effect in 1921 and £2,300,000 in the first five months of 1922. The figures relate mainly, though not exclusively, to organised groups of wage earners, and they do not include agricultural labourers, domestic servants, police, shop assistants, clerks, or Government employees, as to whom complete statistics are not available. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for January and June, 1922, on pages 4 and 265 of which the figures are given in greater detail.