HC Deb 02 March 1972 vol 832 cc159-60W
Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will now take to strengthen and activate the manpower and economic division in his Department; and if he will give directions to the division to review regularly all incomes, including salaries, wages, minimum wage levels, hours worked, and holidays overall, in each industrial group, respectively, and to make reports.

EARNINGS AND HOURS OF MEN MANUAL WORKERS—UNITED KINGDOM
12 industries with highest average weekly earnings October, 1966
1958 Standard Industrial Classification Average weekly earnings Average weekly hours worked Average hourly earnings
£ p
Printing, publishing of newspapers and periodicals 28.06 44.4 63.20
Mineral oil refining 25.58 43.6 58.67
Air transport 25.46 45.6 55.83
Cement 24.29 54.6 44.49
Sugar 23.59 50.7 46.53
Other printing, publishing, etc. 23.38 44.3 52.78
Aircraft manufacturing and repairing 22.91 44.8 51.14
Shop and office fitting 22.52 50.5 44.59
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, soap and detergents 22.45 48.6 46.19
Tobacco 22.39 44.7 50.09
Other transport and communication 22.22 45.1 49.27
Metal-working machine tools 22.00 45.2 48.67

October, 1970
1968 Standard Industrial Classification Average weekly earnings Average weekly hours worked Average hourly earnings
£ p
Printing, publishing of periodicals 45.96 42.0 109.42
Printing, publishing of newspapers 39.55 44.3 89.28
Sugar 36.88 52.6 70.11
Wheeled tractor or manufacturing 36.63 42.5 86.19
Port and inland water transport 36.28 43.9 82.64
Air transport 35.66 44.5 80.13
Mineral oil refining 34.38 42.0 81.86
Motor vehicle manufacturing 33.30 42.1 79.10
Other printing, publishing, etc. 32.52 44.6 72.91
Insulated wires and cables 32.48 47.9 67.81
Cement 32.38 49.4 65.55
Soap and detergents 32.23 47.2 68.28

Mr. R. Carr

I will continue to ensure that the Office of Manpower Economics has the resources necessary to perform its functions as secretariat to the pay review bodies,ad hoc inquiries, and studies on more general pay matters. It is currently studying measured day work, and equal pay, and reviewing research on the relationship between wage determination and earnings movement. I see no present need for it to undertake reviews on the lines suggested.

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