§ 41. Mr. Grimondasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how the average increase in hourly earnings for the first half of the year compared with the equivalent period last year.
§ The First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. George Brown)By 4.8 per cent. in six months compared with 4.9 per cent. a year earlier.
§ Mr. GrimondMay we take it that we have now got past the rush of wage demands and that it is the First Secretary's view that his incomes policy is now going to work?
§ Mr. BrownOn the latter part of the Question, this has been my view for some little time, but I do not wish to be overoptimistic. Things seem to be moving the right way.