§ 9. Mr. Scottasked the Minister of Labour by what percentage weekly earnings rose between April and October, 1966, in all industries and in manufacturing industry, respectively.
§ Mr. HattersleyIn all industries and services covered by the Ministry's half-yearly inquiry into the earnings of manual workers, the average weekly earnings of all full-time workers rose by 0.3 per cent. between April and October, 1966. In the manufacturing industries alone, the weekly earnings of all full-time manual workers fell by about 0.6 per cent. during the same period.
§ Mr. ScottThe supposed aim of the Government is to move people from service industries into manufacturing, but do not those figures make it clear that the freeze has made it impossible for workers to move into manufacturing industries, because earnings there are falling, whereas in all industries they are still rising, albeit gradually?
§ Mr. HattersleyI make no comment on the extraordinary period the hon. Gentleman chose to ask about, but even during that period the hourly rates increased. This is the economically significant factor.
§ Mr. R. CarrThe hon. Gentleman says that the hourly rates increased. By how much did they increase relatively in service industries and in manufacturing?
§ Mr. HattersleyI should have to have notice of that question, but the increase was common to both of them.