COPY
REPLY
58
MR. WYATT
FOR WEDNESDAY, 23RD NOVEMBER, 1949
To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what was the average wage of a workman, over the age of 21 years, in Hong Kong in August, 1938, in August, 1946, and in August, 1949, respectively; and how far increases in wage rates have kept up with increases in the cost of living.
ANSWER
MR. REES-WILLIAMS: As there are a number of figures in the
reply I will with the Hon. Member's permission circulate it in the official Report.
The following is the reply:-
The daily wage rates for the four main categories of workers varied at the times in question between the approximate limits shown in the following table. (gl Hong Kong 1/3d. Sterling).
=
August, 1938
August, 1946
August, 1949
Skilled Tradesmen
75 cents
G
81.40
$5
$6.20 $6.20 %8
Skilled Workers
70
-21
$4.50
$5
Ordinary Workers
60
75 cents
$4.20
$5.60 -87.20
$40.50 $4.80 -15.80
Manual Workers
40
80
$3.20
-
$3.60 $3.55 -84.05
The General retail price index, taking 1939 prices as 100, was 586 for the quarter ending September, 1949. Figures for 1946 are not available.
It will be seen that, except for some of the highest paid workers, wage rates have risen by a higher percentage than the cost of living as represented by the general retail price index.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.