§ 2. Mr. Cockeramasked the Secretary of State for Employment in which years since 1950 average industrial earnings have risen by more than 8 per cent.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. R. Chichester-Clark)The regular October surveys show that average weekly earnings of men manual workers aged 21 years and over in manufacturing industry rose by more than 8 per cent. in the 12-month periods ending in October 1951, 1955, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972.
§ Mr. CockeramDoes not that make nonsense of the allegations which are repeated frequently by the Labour Party that there has been a fall in living standards under the present Government?
Mr. Chichcster-ClarkIt most certainly shows that. From the reply which I have just given, it can be deduced that a serious wage explosion was developing during the latter months of the Labour administration.