§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average industrial wage now in the United Kingdom, and the net percentage increase 187W over the last 20 years, on the same basis as the figures for West Germany of £25 per week and 316 per cent., officially published by the West German Government.
§ Mr. BryanThe average earnings of full-time adult male manual workers in manufacturing industries in the United Kingdom at October, 1970, were £28.91. This represented an increase of 265 per cent. over the period October, 1950, to October, 1970.
I am not aware of the particular figures for West Germany to which the hon. Member refers but international comparisons of this kind present many problems. They must be made in terms of a chosen currency and changes in the rate of exchange complicate the position. Furthermore there are differences in the purchasing power of the currencies and in the levels of direct and indirect taxation and of social benefits between one country and another.