§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state for each year since 1961 the average gross level of income per family living in each European Economic Community country, and 298W the equivalent figure for each member State's development areas; and if he will compare these with those for the United Kingdom and United Kingdam development areas, using the 1961 United Kingdom gross income figure as the base level of 100.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will encourage threshold wage agreements linked to the cost of living as a means of safeguarding the interests of lower paid workers in the event of British membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. BryanI have no present plans to do so. Following discussions at the National Economic Development Council, the T.U.C. and C.B.I. are now considering the practical implications of threshold agreements. While these studies are in progress I do not think it would be appropriate for me to commend or condemn the use of such agreements for any groups of workers.