§ 14. Mr. MacKayasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average weekly wage for manual workers; and if he is satisfied with the method of calculation of this average.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe latest New Earnings Survey shows that at April 1977 the average earnings of manual workers, working full time, who were aged 18 and over and whose pay was not affected by absence, was £70 for males, £43.70 for females and £65.80 for males and females combined. I am satisfied with the method of calculation.
§ Mr. MacKayIs the Minister aware that statistics can mean all things to all men and that some employers would like to know whether these statistics include overtime? Is he also aware that the statistics have been causing considerable problems in wage negotiations and have led to inflationary wage claims?
§ Mr. WalkerThe figures are of average weekly earnings.
§ Mr. RookerWill my hon. Friend confirm that between two-thirds and three-quarters of manual workers receive less than the average? When the Chancellor of the Exchequer quotes average wages in talking about tax rebates it means nothing to the rest of the population because the majority of people earn less than the average, if only because the salaries of company chairmen on £1,000 a week are included in the calculation of the average.
§ Mr. WalkerThe figures I have given to the House are of the earnings of manual workers. I am sure my hon. Friend will not expect me to answer questions about tax, but I confirm his assumption that rather more than half receive less than the average.