§ 45. Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the index of average earnings of all employees based on monthly inquiry is giving an accurate reflection of wage inflation in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BoothThe index of average earnings gives a reliable up-to-date indication of the changes in average gross earnings of all employees in Great Britain. It is based on information on earnings of some 7 million employees in employment in manufacturing and certain other industries. The index is affected by the current level of pay settlements, the numbers receiving these settlements, and a range of other factors including the effect of threshold payments, retrospective payments following back-dated settlements, variations in overtime pay or bonuses, and variations in sickness or other absence.