HC Deb 27 November 1973 vol 865 cc81-2W
29. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the movement in average industrial earnings including overtime in the first half of 1973 compared with the equivalent periods in 1971 and 1972 ; and what percentage movement took place over the whole of 1971 and 1972.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The index of average earnings, seasonally adjusted, for all manufacturing industries rose by 6.9 per cent. between December 1972 and June 1973 compared with rises of 40 per cent. and 7.1 per cent., respectively, in the equivalent periods of 1971 and 1972. The corresponding increases for 1971 and 1972 as a whole were 90 per cent., and 14.2 per cent., respectively.

48. Mr. H. Boardman

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the adult rates for men and women in the retail distribution trades ; and how these compare with average earnings in industry.

October 1964 to June 1970 June 1970 to September 1973*
Increase Per cent. Average annual rate of increase Per cent. Increase Per cent. Average annual rate of increase Per cent.
Index of average earnings—seasonally adjusted manufacturing industry 51.4 7.6 46.3 12.4
General Index of Retail Prices 29.7 4.7 30.0 8.5
* The latest available date for the index of average earnings.

Mr. Dixon

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the figures in January 1972 and at the latest available date of unfilled adult vacancies, seasonally adjusted, the percentage increase over the previous six months, expressed on an annual basis, of the index of average earnings, seasonally adjusted, and the percentage increase over the previous six months, expressed on an annual basis, of the General Index of Retail Prices for all items except food.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The figures are as follows : —

Unfilled adult vacancies notified to employment officers or careers officers numbered 118,600 in January 1972 and

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The annual publication "Time Rates of Wages and Hours of Work" gives details of the minimum rates of pay as laid down in some 20 separate national collective agreements or Wages Council orders covering workers in various branches of retail distribution. This information is up-dated in the monthly publication "Changes in Rates of Wages and Hours of Work".

It should be noted that the rates shown in these publications are basic rates and are not directly comparable with figures for average earnings in industry which include bonuses, overtime payments, etc.

Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the rise in average weekly earnings in manufacturing industry, expressed in real terms, between October 1964 and June 1970 and between June 1970 and the latest available date ; and what average annual rate of increase this represents.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The following table sets out details of the movements in the monthly index of average earnings for manufacturing and in the General Index of Retail Prices over the periods concerned.

366,000 in November 1973. Both figures are seasonally adjusted.

The index of average earnings, seasonally adjusted, showed a percentage increase, expressed on an annual basis, of 18.0 for the latest six months for which figures are available, that is March-September 1973 ; this period however included a backlog of settlements and the annual change September to September is a rise of 13.1 per cent.

The General Index of Retail Prices for all items except food showed a percentage increase, not seasonally adjusted, expressed on an annual basis, of 7.8 in the latest six months for which figures are available, that is April-October 1973.