HC Deb 26 June 1941 vol 372 c1129W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the rates of pay for juveniles employed in depots and establishments under his control; what is the greatest sum that a boy of 16, with overtime, can earn per week for unskilled work; and how frequently is this maximum attained?

Captain Margesson

The rates of wages of boys employed under the War Department vary according to the locality. They are generally based on percentages of the approved adult rate for the locality, which is agreed with the trades unions concerned. The range of wages of boys employed in War Department establishments which are not of an engineering character is as follows:

Age. Adult minimum wage of 50s. a week. Adult minimum wage of 68s.a week.
16 20s.0d 27s. 6d.
16½ 22s. 6d. 30s. 6d.
17 25s. 0d. 34s. 0d.
17½ 27s. 6d. 37s. 6d.
18 30s. 0d. 41S. 0d.
18½ 34s. 0d. 46s. 0d.
19 37s. 6d. 51s. 0d.
19½ 41S. 6d. 56s. 0d.
20 45s. 0d. to 50s. 0d. 61s. 0d. to 68s. 0d.

In War Department establishments of an engineering character the range varies from 14s. 6d. a week (14 years of age outside the London area) to 49s. 6d. (20 years of age in the London area). With regard to the last two parts of the Question, information regarding overtime work in outstation establishments is not readily available and could only be obtained by detailed inquiry of the many establishments concerned. If my hon. Friend has any particular establishment in mind, I shall be glad to have inquiries made.