§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Minister of Labour what is the index figure of real wages now as compared with the index figure for each of the last three years?
§ Mr. LAWSONIndex numbers are given below showing the approximate average level of full-time weekly rates of wages and of working-class cost of living in each of the years 1929 and 1930, and at 1st January, 1931, in relation to the average level in 1928 taken as 100:
Rates of Cost of Wages. Living. 1928 (average of year) 100 100 1929 (do.) 99½ 99 1930 (do.) 99 95 1931 (1st January) 99 92½ On this basis the average level of rest wages for a full week (the average for 1928 being expressed at 100) was approximately 100½ in 1929, 104 in 1930, and 107 at 1st January, 1931. These figures take no account of changes in actual earnings resulting from changes in the state of employment and other causes.