§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHasked the Minister of Labour if he will state for the year 1914, or 1913, and for the latest available date the weekly wages paid to a skilled turner and to an engineering labourer, respectively, in England, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States of America, expressed both in the currency concerned and in sterling?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe averages of the recognised weekly time rates of wages of turners and engineering labourers in 16 of the principal engineering centres in Great Britain, in August, 1914, and July, 1925, are as shown in the following table:
— Rates of Wages per Hour. Turners. Labourers. Aug., 1914. May, 1925. Aug., 1914. May, 1925. (a) In foreign currency. Berlin—marks … … … .58 .83 .45 .55 Brussels—francs … … … .52 3.30 .33 2.29 Paris—francs … … … 1.00 3.24 .55 2.45 Rome—lire … … … .67 3.50 .39 2.30 United States*—dollars … … … .47 1.039† .29 .84† (b) Sterling equivalents at the rule of exchange current at the respective dates. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Berlin … … … 0 6¾ 0 9¾ 0 5¼ 0 6¼ Brussels … … … 0 5 0 8¼ 0 3¼ 0 5¾ Paris … … … 0 9½ 0 8½ 0 5¼ 0 6½ Rome … … … 0 6½ 0 7 0 3¾ 0 4¾ United States* … … … 1 11½ 4 9‡ 1 2½ 3 10‡ * Average, based on returns from 66 principal cities. ‡May. 1924.