HC Deb 17 October 1944 vol 403 cc2220-2W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were and are the basic rates of pay, and what have been the increases in pay and allowances and the dates when these became effective for all grades of coalmine workers each, separately, since 1939; what increases in food rationing have been granted; and whether the recipients draw these extra rations whether they are actually at work or not.

Major Lloyd George

Basic rates of pay for the many grades of workers employed in the coalmining industry vary greatly for different grades and in different districts. The following figures show the average earnings of men employed in the mining industry.

Average weekly cash earnings. Value of allowance in kind.
£ s. d. s. d.
During the year 1938. 2 15 9 2 2
During the year 1943. 5 0 0 3 3
During the first quarter 1944. 5 5 9 3 10
During the second quarter 1944 (estimated). 6 0 0 4 0
The wage increases during the war have been:

Cost of living increases:

1st November, 1939 … 8d. per shift
1st January, 1940 … 5d. per shift
1st April, 1940 … 4d. per shift
1st October, 1940 … 5d. per shift
1st January, 1941 … 6d. per shift
1st July, 1941 … 4d. per shift
"Attendance bonus"
1st June, 1941 … 1s. 0d. per shift
"Greene award"
1st June, 1942 … 2s. 6d. per shift
"Porter awards"
November, 1943, to January, 1944… approximately 1s. 3d. per shift
Wages settlement 20th April, 1944, approximately 1s. 4d. per shift.

Speaking generally, there have not been increases in allowance in kind, but value, particularly of coal allowances, has increased substantially during the war.

With regard to the second part of the Question, it is the declared policy of the Government to provide miners with additional rational funds through the medium of colliery canteens. Any miner working underground and for whom canteen facilities are not readily available has been entitled, since 1941, to a special weekly allowance of cheese, at present 12 oz., for the preparation of packed meals. This allowance can be drawn so long as the miner is on the colliery books and is not affected by short periods of temporary absence.