§ 47. Mr. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that between 1952 and 1955 the hourly earnings in manufacturing rose in the United Kingdom by 19 per cent, against the United States of America 11 per cent., Germany 12 per cent., France 13 per cent., Italy 10 per cent., and Switzerland 2 per cent.; and if he will take steps to call a conference of both sides of industry to discuss means by which increased production shall be a prerequisite of higher wages so that our ability to sell abroad may not be endangered.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanThe figures which I have obtained differ to some extent from those given by the hon. Member but they are broadly similar. On the second part of the Question, the Prime Minister has had a number of discussions with both sides of industry about prices and wages, including the effect of rising prices on the competitive position of our exports.