§ 5. Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentages of Welsh (a) full-time and (b) part-time workers are currently earning wages below 68 per cent. of the average British wage.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerInformation is not available in the form requested. Between 1988 and 1989 average earnings of full-time workers on adult rates in Wales increased by 9.9 per cent., a figure higher than in six of the other nine regions of the country.
§ Mr. FlynnHad the information been available, the Secretary of State would have discovered that Wales has fallen further down the low wages ladder and that tens of thousands of Welsh workers have been conscripted into junk jobs that pay dirt wages. Is he aware that thousands of Welsh workers once earned above-average wages whereas now they are at the bottom of the nation's average wages? Is he aware that there is a higher percentage of low-paid, male workers in Wales than anywhere else in Britain and that Dyfed has the lowest average male wages of any county in Britain? Will he answer the question put to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones)? Does he agree with the Prime Minister that clause 5 of the European social charter, which seeks fairer remuneration for workers, is of no value? Is he content for Wales to remain the low-paid capital of Britain?
§ Mr. WalkerThe figures used in the hon. Gentleman's question were taken from a remarkable Council of Europe report which has not been endorsed by any member state.
§ Mr. WalkerThe hon. Gentleman complains about the level of wages in Wales. In 1979, the average adult wage was £87 a week, whereas now it is £216 a week. That is a massive increase in real terms.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the greatest tragedy of unnecessarily high wages 652 would be a halt in the creation of new employment? He is to be congratulated because since the general election unemployment in Wales has fallen by 70 per cent. Can he tell the House by how much unemployment in Newport has fallen in the same period?
§ Mr. WalkerAt the time of the general election unemployment in Newport was 100 per cent. higher than it is now.
§ Mr. Barry JonesWhat is the right hon. Gentleman doing to persuade the Prime Minister that the European social charter will help the poorest in Wales best of all? Does he agree that the Prime Minister's stubborn style in Europe hurts the prospects of the lowest paid in Wales? Does he further agree that if we are frozen out of Europe, Britain cannot play a leading role to help the lowest paid in Wales?
§ Mr. WalkerI am glad to say that what is substantially improving earnings in Wales is the Government's enormous success in getting inward investment into Wales. It is probably a more successful region than any other in the European Community. I am delighted that this massive creation of good jobs in Wales is taking place. It is a great pity that, by their noise this afternoon, Labour Members show that they do not appreciate what is going on.