HC Deb 06 July 1964 vol 698 cc51-2W
Mr. Ainsley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development when the North-West Durham constituency will receive the benefits of the Government's plan for the North-East to bring industry to Lanchester, Brandon, Willington, and Crook industrial sites, designated by the county planning authority for industrial development.

RATES OF RETIREMENT PENSIONS; AVERAGE EARNINGS OF MEN; AND THE LEVEL OF RETAIL PRICES AT SELECTED DATES SHOWING PERCENTAGE INCREASE BETWEEN THOSE DATES
— Retirement pension Retail Prices† Percentage increases between each date
Single Married Average earnings (men)* Retirement pension Average Earnings (men)* Retail Prices†
Single Married
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
October, 1946 1 6 0 2 2 0 6 0 9 100 — — — —
October, 1951 1 10 0 2 0 0 8 6 0 129 15 19 37 29
October, 1963 3 7 6 5 9 0 16 14 11 187 125 118 102 45
* Based on Ministry of Labour's inquiries into earnings of manual workers in manufacturing and some of the principal non-manufacturing industries.
† Based on the Retail Prices Index, the Interim Index of Retail Prices which preceded it, and for the period prior to June, 1947, the Cost of Living Index.

Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will compare the increases in the rates of retirement pension with the increases in average earnings and in the prices of the types of goods and services used by retired persons, such as rents, rates, food,

Mr. D. Price

Firms contemplating setting up in the North-East are regularly invited to consider these sites amongst others, but the final choice of site must rest with the firm. The Government's aim of creating more jobs in the North-East is succeeding. For example, in the Durham employment exchange area, which includes Brandon, there are nearly 400 new jobs in prospect, in the Stanley and Lanchester area 440 and in Crook and Willington at least 400.