§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Minister of Labour what information she has as to the index of women's earnings, in the private sector, in comparison with men's; what change this index shows in past years for which information is available; and when she expects to be able to announce plans for phased progress towards equal pay.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerA separate index of earnings is not available for the private sector. The following indices, however, have been compiled for manufacturing industry which falls very largely within the private sector. Joint talks between officials of my Department, the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress are in progress on the cost of implementing equal pay. The Government will consider its plans when these are completed.
258W
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY MANUAL WORKERS April, 1956=100 Full-time Men (21 years and over) Average earnings Weekly Hourly October, 1956 … 101 101 October, 1957 … 108 108 October, 1958 … 110 112 October, 1959 … 116 116 October, 1960 … 124 126 October, 1961 … 130 134 October, 1962 … 134 139 October, 1963 … 141 145 October, 1964 … 153 157 October, 1965 … 165 172 October, 1966 … 170 182 October, 1967 … 179 190
Full-time Women (18 years and over) Average earnings Weekly Hourly October, 1956 … 103 103 October, 1957 … 109 109 October, 1958 … 112 113 October, 1959 … 118 118 October, 1960 … 124 126 October, 1961 … 129 134 October, 1962 … 134 140 October, 1963 … 140 146 October, 1964 … 149 157 October, 1965 … 160 171 October, 1966 … 168 182 October, 1967 … 176 191
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL EMPLOYEES October, 1959=100 Average earnings on a weekly basis Males (21 years and over) Females (18 years and over) October, 1960 … 106 104 October, 1961 … 111 110 October, 1962 … 116 115 October, 1963 … 122 120 October, 1964 … 130 128 October, 1965 … 140 138 October, 1966 … 146 147 October, 1967 … 153 155