§ Q5. Mr. Carterasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied that Government Departments are adopting a uniform approach to the matter of statistical information; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. The Central Statistical Office is responsible for promoting uniform standards and classifications in the collection and presentation of official statistics and for coordinating the statistical activities of Government Departments.
§ Mr. CarterIs the Prime Minister aware of the increasing dissatisfaction at the way in which he and his Government make continual misrepresentations about wage increases, on the one hand, and price increases, on the other? Is he not aware that a percentage wage increase when set against gross pay is entirely different from a similar increase set against net pay, whereas price increases are irreducible and final?
§ The Prime MinisterA percentage increase on gross pay and a percentage increase on take-home pay produce different figures. In examining take-home pay, one also has to examine the extent to which workers have deducted from their gross pay their individual savings, and various other deductions. There needs to be a detailed examination of what deductions are made. That does not alter the fact that the statistical service in this country is of the highest quality and, as I have found since I have been Prime Minister, is greatly respected not only throughout Europe but in North America, too.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergDoes my right hon. Friend agree that another factor to be taken into account in the difference between gross pay and net take-home pay is the substantial reduction in direct taxation the Government have brought about?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is true, and that reduction in direct taxation spreads right across all income tax payers.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonIs the Prime Minister aware that five minutes after the pay packet has been taken home deductions are made and put behind the clock, or wherever it may be, for the 749 rent that is to be paid the following week, for the payment of school meals and for other items? Is he not satisfied that when one deducts those items from the take-home pay most people are a great deal worse off?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not at all satisfied of that fact. I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that it was the Labour Government which produced a fair rents scheme but which failed to produce a rent rebate scheme to go with it.