§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence what was the average income per year in 1951 and in 1971; and the respective percentage increase for masters, mates and seamen in the Port Auxiliary Service.
§ Mr. Kirk:Average salaries and wage rates of masters, mates and able seamen in the Port Auxiliary Service in 1951 and 1971 and percentage increases during this period were as follows:
287WAverage earnings for 1951 are no longer available, but since both officers and ratings were then conditioned to a 55-hour week it is probable they would have been little different from average salary/wage rates for 1951. Average gross earnings for 1971 were: masters £2,974 per annum, mates £2,641 per annum and able seamen £28.98p per week—representing percentage increases over 1951 salaries of 528 per cent., 531 per cent. and 485 per cent., respectively.