asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) for (a) wage-earners up to but not exceeding £3 per week, (b) wage-earners between £3 and £5 per week, (c) wage-earners between £5 and £6 per week, and (d) those in gainful occupations in receipt of between £300 and £500 per annum (or for these income groups most nearly corresponding to classes (a), (b) (c) and (d) above, for which statistical information is available or in respect of which estimates are possible) the average increase, if any, in wage rates or income rate since September, 1939, up to the latest available date; and, further, if he will state (2) (a) the increase in the cost-of-living index number between September, 1939, and the latest month for which statistical information is available or in respect of which an estimate is possible, and (b) between the same dates the increase in the index numbers for food, clothing, and fuel and light.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wage Rates and Cost-of-Living.
The particulars the Deputy asks for are not available in the detail required. It may be stated, however, that as between dates at the beginning of 1939 and corresponding dates in 1942, prior to the coming into operation of Emergency Powers (No. 166) Order, wages rates increased by 3.6 per cent. in 23 occupations associated with the building and engineering industries, and by 9.1 per cent. in the group of industries entitled "Protected Industries." In the latter case, however, the increase in average earnings per head at 7.5 per cent. was less than the increase in wage rates. Between July 1939, and July 1942, average earnings in agricultural employment increased by 20.9 per cent.
Between mid-August 1939 and mid-August 1942, the last date for which figures are available, the increase in the general cost of living was 45 per cent. Food prices increased by 41 per cent., clothing by 55 per cent., and fuel and light by 79 per cent.