§ Mr. D. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the types of professions and industries, and the number of employés, whose wages and remunerations may be regarded as dependent either wholly or partially, and either directly or indirectly, on the cost of living index; and whether he has received any representations from any sources, other than the dockers, against its fairness and reliability?
§ Mr. BETTERTONDetails of the industries and services in which rates of wages are automatically adjusted with reference to the cost of living index number were given in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for August, 1921, and July, 1922, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member. Since the latter date a few of the agreements then in force have, for various reasons, ceased to operate and in a few industries, employing relatively small numbers of work-people, agreements making similar provisions have been signed. It is estimated that the total number of workers covered by the agreements now in force is between 2¾ and 3 millions. I should observe, however, that in the great majority of these agreements the index number determines only the amount of variations in wage rates, the actual amount of wages paid being dependent on other influences prevailing in the particular industry. The 1195W chief representation regarding the index number, other than that made by the dockers, which has been received this year was from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, which approached the question from a different standpoint.