HC Deb 13 November 1957 vol 577 c951
57. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage increase in earnings since 1951.

The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)

Inquiries covering manual wage earners in manufacturing industries generally and in a number of the principal non-manufacturing industries showed that in April, 1957, the average weekly earnings per worker had risen by 45 per cent. since October, 1951. Figures for dates later than April, 1957, are not yet available.

Captain Pilkington

In view of the fact that prices have risen less than 50 per cent. of that figure in the same period, would my right hon. Friend like to comment on the remark of Mr. Frank Cousins at the Trades Union Conference that wages ought to keep pace with the rise in costs?

Mr. Macleod

Prices over the same period have actually risen by 24½ per cent. If I may, I should like to be excused from answering the second part of the supplementary question.

Mr. Lee

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate whether there is now any greater number of hours being worked than at that period, and can he tell us whether the wage bill, judged as a percentage of the national income, is any greater than in those days?

Mr. Macleod

The hours of work are, of course, an important consideration; but even if we take it on the basis of rates of wages, the increase is still 38½ per cent., which is very greatly in excess of the rise in prices over the period.

Mr. D. Howell

Comparing these figures with those of the section of the Health Service workers who have just been refused an increase, and whose wages have increased by only 21 per cent., are not the Government's figures shameful and incapable of defence in any way?

Mr. Macleod

That is a much wider question than the one on the Order Paper, which is purely on the percentage increase in earnings since 1951.