§ Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the current standard rates of wages for various types of labourers in South Staffordshire covering, in particular, Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, and Willenhall?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe standard rates of wages for unskilled labourers vary in different industries and, in some cases, for different areas within the same industry. I am sending the hon. Member a table which shows the minimum time rates of wages fixed by collective agreements between organisations of employers and workpeople for unskilled workmen in certain important industries in which such agreements specifically relate to localities in South Staffordshire. In certain other industries there are agreements which fix minimum rates of wages without specifying the areas to which they relate. The rates fixed by such agreements will be applicable in South Staffordshire in so far as there are employers located in that area who are affiliated to the employers' organisations concerned. The minimum rates of wages fixed under the Trade Boards Acts are also, in most cases, of general application throughout the country, and such rates are, of course, binding on all employers in the trades concerned in South Staffordshire.