§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to prevent a wage increase explosion, he will propose in place of wage increases that all workers should have free and non-taxable travel to and from their home and place of work, together with the support of their homes and the financial cost of upkeep.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonNo. The Government are satisfied that the policies set out in the White Paper, "The Attack on Inflation after 31st July 1977" represent the best available means of preventing a wage explosion.
Percentage increase since first quarter 1974 May 1977 June 1977 Wholesale price index of materials purchased by the food manufacturing .industry* 75.2¶ 73.6¶ Wholesale price index of coal (except for carbonising), gas and electricity purchased by manufacturing industry†‡ 118.9¶ 121.4¶ Wholesale price index of materials purchased by manufacturing industry†(including crude oil and coal for carbonising)‡ 60.7¶ 59.0¶ Basic hourly wage rates (all industries and services) 81.5 82.8 Average weekly earnings (all industries and services covered by the monthly inquiry in1974)§ 79.9¶ — Wholesale price index: output of all manufactured products (home sales) 87.8¶ 89.7¶ General index of retail prices: all items 79.2 81.1 *Minimum List Headings 211–229 inclusive of the Standard Industrial Classification. †Orders III-XIX inclusive of the Standard Industrial Classification. Includes food manufacturing. ‡As mineral oil refining and coke are classified to manufacturing industry, crude oil and coal for carbonising are classified as materials for processing rather than as fuels. §Seasonally adjusted. The increase reflects, inter alia, the temporary reduction in earnings in the first quarter of 1974 while three-day working and other restrictions were in operation. ¶Provisional. Figures of earnings are not yet available for June 1977.