HC Deb 17 December 1970 vol 808 c416W
Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on the assumption that the rate of increase in the index of retail prices between 20th October and 20th December, 1970 will be equal to the average rate of increase in the ten preceding months and making a similar assumption about the rise in the index of average earnings, what will be the purchasing power of the index of average earnings on 20th December, 1970 expressed as a percentage of its purchasing power on 20th December 1969.

Mr. Bryan

On the hypothetical assumptions stated, the index of average earnings would rise by about 5½ per cent. more than the general index of retail prices.