§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Labour what has been the percentage increase in average earnings since October 1964 to the present date.
§ Mr. ThorntonThe latest figures I can give the hon. Member relate to the 14 months from October 1964 to December 1965. During this period the average earnings of weekly paid and monthly paid employees taken together rose by 5.2 per cent.
Owing to the effect of Christmas holidays on the earnings of weekly paid workers, the December 1965 index was 2 points below the index for November. Over the 12 months December 1964 to December 1965 the average earnings of weekly paid and monthly paid employees taken together rose by 7.8 per cent.