§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Prime Minister if he will now give the statistical basis for his statement concerning the de-escalation of wage increases; and if he will give the average percentage increase, for the private and public sectors separately, of all wage and salary settlements which have become operative since 1st July, 1970.
§ The Prime MinisterThe estimated average percentage increase in earnings resulting from major pay settlements concluded and notified to the Department of Employment since 1st July, 1970, is 13.5 per cent. This figure is weighted to take account of the numbers of workers affected and includes only the first stages of long-term agreements. No meaningful statistical comparison between the private and the public sector is possible on this basis. During the first quarter of this year significant settlements have been concluded at around 10 per cent. or less in both the private and public sectors.