§ 44. Mr. McKayasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage increase in men's earnings, women's earnings, and salaries, separately, from 1946 to the latest possible date.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanAverage weekly wage earnings increased by 85 per cent. for men and 77 per cent. for women between October, 1946, and October, 1955. Comparable figures for salaries are not available.
§ Mr. McKayI am rather surprised. It is amazing to think that the Chancellor can tell the House that he cannot find the figures for salaries when they are in a Blue Book. Is it not correct that under the head of "salaries" are the earnings of practically all the professional men in the country and almost the whole of the middle classes? When the salaries and wages are rising so fast—men's earnings 84 per cent., salaries 90 per cent.—is it not time, when old-age pensions have risen by only 55 per cent., that something was done for pensioners?
§ Mr. MacmillanThe hon. Member has asked me whether certain classes of statistics are available for a period between October, 1946, and October, 1955. I regret to have to inform him that the statistical apparatus necessary to answer the Question was not available at that time, was not provided by the authorities in charge at that time, and is therefore not available to me.