HC Deb 20 July 1971 vol 821 c249W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average percentage increase in hourly wage rates and earnings over the last six months, or the latest available period, in, respectively, the United Kingdom and Scotland; and what are the corresponding figures for six-month periods over the last five years.

Mr. Bryan

Following is the information available:

PERCENTAGE INCREASES, MALE MANUAL WORKERS, 21 YEARS AND OVER
Hourly Wage Rates Average Hourly Earnings
Six months ending United Kingdom United Kingdom Scotland
October, 1966 1.2 1.1 1.7
April, 1967 1.4 1.2 1.0
October, 1967 4.0 3.7 4.9
April, 1968 3.8 4.1 4.0
October, 1968 1.6 2.9 2.8
April, 1969 3.5 4.0 4.6
October, 1969 2.0 3.6 3.6
April, 1970 6.5 * *
October, 1970 4.8 * *
April, 1971 7.1 * *
Increase October, 1969 to October, 1970 11.6 14.9 14.2
* Not available.
Separate indices of wage rates are not calculated for Scotland.
The regular inquiry into earnings and hours, formerly held each April and October, became an annual (October) inquiry as from October, 1970.