HC Deb 03 May 1951 vol 487 cc152-3W
24. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the fact that London dockers are earning an average weekly wage of £11 8s. for a 38 hour week and can earn up to £17 for a full week's work as compared with £5 for agricultural workers, he will have an investigation made into the workings of the National Dock Labour Board.

Mr. Robens

The national minimum wage of a dock worker is 21s. per day with a minimum of £5 15s. 6d. per week. Most London dockers are piece workers, and any high rates of pay reflect their greater productivity. I would under no circumstances accept the implication contained in the Question that ability to earn high payments is a cause for investigation.

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