§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South on 11th April 1978—Official Report, column 1156—that fewer than 5 per cent. of men earn less than £45 a week, whether this is gross or net wages; and from what documents he drew this figure.
§ Mr. OrmeMy reply related to gross earnings. I would refer the hon. Member536W to Table 22 of the report of the new earnings survey 1977 published by Department of Employment. My reply on 11th April assumed that the movement of wages since the date of that table (April 1977) would have resulted in fewer than 5 per cent. of men in full-time work earning under £45 a week.—[Vol. 947, c. 1156.]