§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the increase in average earnings, expressed at an annual rate, over the last 40, 30, 20, 10 and five years, respectively.
§ Mr. GoldingThe following estimates relate to the average gross weekly earnings of full-time manual men, aged 21 and over, in my Department's regular (October) inquiry into the earnings and hours of manual workers in the United Kingdom. The inquiry covers manufacturing 39W industries, mining and quarrying—except coal-construction, gas, electricity and water, transport and communication, except railways and sea transport, public administration and certain miscellaneous services.
Percentage increase, expressed at an annual rate October 1938 to October 1977 (39 years) 8.1 October 1947 to October 1977 (30 years) 8.4 October 1957 to October 1977 (20 years) 9.2 October 1967 to October 1977 (10 years) 13.0 October 1972 to October 1977 (5 years) 15.3 Results of the October 1978 inquiry should be available next month.
Wider based estimates for the periods specified are not available.