HC Deb 28 February 1933 vol 275 cc197-9W
Mr. RANKIN

asked the Minister of Health the estimated increase in the rates in 1933 in each of the 12 most populous towns in Lancashire?

Sir H. YOUNG:

The following statement shows the estimated increase or decrease in the rate income in the year ending 31st March, 1933, as compared with the preceding year, in each of the 12 most populous county boroughs in Lancashire.

County Borough. Increase (+) or decrease(-) in the year ending31st March, 1933, compared with the preceding year.
£
Liverpool … + 596,273
Manchester … + 286,931
Salford … -49,856
Bolton … + 30,538
Oldham … -13,612
Blackburn … -19,205
Preston … +1,471
St. Helens … + 1487413,7
Rochdale … + 16,180
Wigan … -12,150
Warrington … -5,240
Bootle … +23,192

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give an index figure to indicate the general wages level for the year 1932 on the assumption that the general level of wages in 1924 was 100?

Sir H. BETTERTON:

The information in the possession of the Ministry of Labour, which relates mainly to industries or occupations in which rates of wages are regulated either by collective agreements between organised groups of employers and workpeople, or by arbitration awards, or by statutory orders, indicates that the average level of full time weekly rates of wages in 1932 was approximately 4 per cent. below the average level of 1924. The available statistics do not enable me to compare the average levels of actual earnings in these two years.

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

asked the Minister of Labour if he can furnish any statistics to show the actual amounts of the annual income received in the form of wages and salaries in the years 1924 and 1932?

Sir H. BETTERTON:

I regret that the available information is insufficient to enable me to estimate the actual amounts of wages and salaries paid in these two years.