§ Sir A. M. SAMUELasked the Minister of Labour the approximate percentage figures to show how much the level of real wages in September, 1933, for those in full employment was above or below the similar average figures for whole inclusive period 1925–29?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe information in the possession of my Department, relating mainly to rates of wages in organised industries, indicates that for corresponding grades of workers the average level of full-time weekly rates of wages at the end of September, 1933, was approximately 6 per cent, below the average level for 1925–9. The average level of working-class cost of living at the end of September, as measured by the official cost-of-living index number, was about 16½ per cent. below the average level for 1925–9. On the basis of these figures the average level of real wages, at the end of September, for workpeople in full employment, was about 12½ per cent. above the average level of 1925–9. This figure takes no account of changes in actual earnings resulting from variations in the state of employment, or from changes in the proportions of workers employed in different industries and occupations or paid at time rates and piece rates, as to which comprehensive statistics are not available.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI would refer the hon. Member to page 121 of the Ministry of Labour Gazette for April, 1933, on which are given the statistics of changes in rates of wages reported to the Department in each year since 1915, and to page 384 of the Ministry of Labour Gazette for October, 1933, on which are given the figures for January to September, 1933.