§ 37 and 38. Mr. McKayasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the approximate percentage increase in the numbers of those who are classified under the head of salaries, and the increase in the percentage of those who come under the head of wages, when estimating the earnings of each section, since 1938 to 1955; and what has been the percentage rise in the total earnings of each class from 1938 to 1956;
(2) the approximate numbers classified under the heads of wages and salaries, separately, in 1938 and 1955.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Henry Brooke)Between 1938 and 1955, total wages increased by 252 per cent. and total salaries by 271 per cent. Both figures are reckoned before deduction of tax. Figures for 1956 are not yet available. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 12th June, statistics of the total number of wage earners and salary earners in 1938 and 1955 are not available, but there is reason to think that the number of salary earners has increased since 1938 significantly more than the number of wage earners.
§ Mr. McKayCan the Financial Secretary explain how he comes to the conclusion that the salaried section has increased more than the wages section when, in 1938, there were almost 2 million people unemployed who are now employed? Would not that indicate that the workers have increased at a greater 1030 percentage than the salaried class? Is he aware that wages for men have increased by an average of 27 per cent. or 28 per cent. less than general wages, and 37 per cent. less than salaries? Is it true that the salaried section covers the middle classes?
§ Mr. BrookeI know the interest of the hon. Member in these matters, and I think he might find it helpful to look at a book lately published by the Stationery Office called, "National Income Statistics, Sources and Methods", in which many of these details are explained.