§ 49. Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what evidence his representative based his statement to the Public Accounts Committee on 9th February, 1961, that the average rate of earnings in Scotland is about 5 per cent. to 6 per cent. less than it is in England.
§ Mr. MaclayThe Accounting Officer informs me that he had in mind the Census of Production and P.A.Y.E. returns. The reference to 5 or 6 per cent. was in terms of a 1956 report, and study of more recent figures suggests that a further estimate now would be at least 8 per cent.