HC Deb 12 July 1971 vol 821 cc18-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the current wage claim by the miners for increases of between £8 and £9 per week is in accordance with the Government's policy towards wage increases in the public sector.

Mr. Ridley

I understand that the National Coal Board has no claim before it. It would not therefore be appropriate for me to comment on the figures mentioned in the Question.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what would be the necessary increase in average earnings in the coal mining industry to bring them up to the European Economic Community levels.

Mr. Ridley

The only figures available are for average earnings in the countries of the European Economic Community. I am afraid they are not broken down into separate industries. Insufficient data are available to make a meaningful comparison of average earnings for individual industries.