HC Deb 18 May 1953 vol 515 cc99-100W
55. Mr. Albu

asked the Minister of Supply why he abolished steel rationing in the middle of the British Industries Fair.

Mr. Sandys

The date of the British Industries Fair and that of the termination

Year ended Cost* Wage Bill Percentage of cost to total wage bill Average number of employees Percentage absence
£ £
31st March, 1951 … … 268,398 10,619,590 2.5 30,435 †6.4
31st March, 1952 … … 296,856 14,182,931 2.1 36,146 5.4
31st March, 1953 … … 417,952 18,500,000 (approx.) 2.3 41,132 †5.7
* Exclusive of Ministry of National Insurance benefits.
† Influenza epidemic in January-February, 1951 and 1953.

of steel rationing were fixed independently of one another.