HC Deb 04 December 1969 vol 792 c1683
13. Mr. Rossi

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what estimate she has made of the in crease in average earnings of women in industry by 1975 resulting from the ending of discrimination on grounds of sex.

Mrs. Castle

Allowing for the fact that some women already receive equal pay, the average earnings of all women workers will probably increase by between 15 and 20 per cent.

Mr. Rossi

Can the right hon. Lady say what effect this will have on the economy as a whole?

Mrs. Castle

We believe that the effect on the economy will be containable taking into account the rise in production and output that will take place in the period up to 1975 and the fact that the figures I have given correspond to an increase in the national wage and salary bill for all workers of between 3 and 4 per cent, during that period in respect of equal pay.