§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that 328W the addition of 25 per cent, to the wages paid by the Regional Port Director under the Merseyside Docks Scheme has the effect of artificially increasing prices of imported goods and is in conflict with the principle laid down in the Budget; and whether he is now prepared to meet any cost involved in this scheme by way of a subsidy to avoid inflation?
§ Sir K. WoodThe addition to which my hon. Friend refers is not an increase of wages, but a charge payable by employers in respect of the cost of administration of the dock labour scheme, which was introduced before the Budget with a view to increasing efficiency. I could not accept the suggestion that the scheme has led to an increase in the cost of imported goods.