HC Deb 30 November 1970 vol 807 cc288-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give the average national wage on the date in October, 1964, when Members of Parliament salaries were raised to their present level, the south-east regional area wage at the same date; and what these wages were for the latest convenient stated date.

Mr. Bryan

Prior to 1967, regional statistics of earnings were published for the Department of Employment administrative regions, but after that date for the standard regions. The former London and South-East and Eastern and Southern regions combined correspond to the present South-East and East Anglia standard regions combined.

Following is the information for October, 1964, and October, 1969, the latest date for which comparable information is available.

Average weekly earnings: men, manual workers aged 21 years and over

October, 1964 October, 1969
£ s. d. £ s. d.
United Kingdom 18 2 2 24 16 5
South-East England as defined above 18 16 1 25 12 4