HC Deb 03 March 1961 vol 635 cc151-2W
Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Labour if he will show in tabular form the percentage increase in time rates received in wages since July, 1914, up to the latest available date and the percentage increase in time rates since July, 1939, respectively, in the engineering industry for patternmakers, fitters and labourers, in the building industry for bricklayers, joiners and labourers, in railway service for the various grades,

Industry and Occupations Rates of Wages at February, 1961 expressed as percentage of
July, 1914=100 July, 1939=100
Per cent. Per cent.
Engineering
Average of recognised time rates in 16 principal centres in the United Kingdom:—
Patternmakers 518 293
Fitters and turners 504 284
Labourers 728 319
Building
Average of recognised rates 39 large towns in the United Kingdom:—
Bricklayers 607 305
Joiners 614 305
Labourers 797 355
Railway Service
Engine drivers* (according to year and grader) 578 325
to 642 (on maximum) 289
Passenger porters (grade 2) in industrial areas excluding London 877 373
Road Passenger Transport
Average of recognised rates in 39 large towns:—
Drivers‡ 630 297
Conductors 685 304
Newspaper Publishing
Journalists (agreed London minimum of Newspaper Proprietors' Association) No agreed rates on 1914 228
Printing and Bookbinding
Average of recognised rates in 26 large towns in the United Kingdom:—
Hand compositors 651 315
Dock Labour
Average of recognised minimum rates in 10 large ports in the United Kingdom:—
Labourers 542 248
* The rates shown for 1914 are the estimated approximate averages of the rates actually paid. For later dates they are the agreed standard rates.
† Extra payment is also made when performing over a certain mileage per day.
‡Drivers of tramcars or omnibuses.

in road transport for the various grades, and for journalists, printers, dockers and miners.

Mr. P. Thomas

The following statement shows the minimum or standard time rates of wages for the designated occupations at February, 1961, expressed as a percentage of the level of the rates at July, 1914 = 100 and July, 1939 = 100. Owing to the complicated wages structure in coalmining at the earlier dates it is not possible to give similar information for that 3 industry.