§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she is aware that the Family Expenditure Survey shows that the average weekly household income is now £30; whether she will give a list of industries where the rates of pay fall below this figure; whether when restricting wage increases she will ensure that no stoppage or hold up in wage awards is made by her Department when the average wage rate falls below £30 per week.
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§ Mr. Harold WalkerThere are very many industries where nationally negotiated rates of pay fall below £30 a week and I do not consider the work involved in preparing a list would be justified. I do not see the logic in trying to raise wage rates to the average level of household incomes.