HC Deb 22 February 1973 vol 851 c177W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average non-manual salary at October each year since 1960; what was the average manual wage at each of these dates; and what was the latter as a percentage of the former on each occasion.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The following estimates of average gross weekly earnings of male manual and non-manual workers and the deprived percentages are based on the two inquiries held each October up to 1970, when the salaries inquiry was discontinued. Since the industries covered by the two surveys differed, the figures relate to the manufacturing sector which was common to both surveys. They include young persons and those whose pay in the survey period was affected by absence.

Average Weekly Earnings
(1) (2) (3)
October Manual males Non-manual males (1) as a percentage of (2)
£ £
1960 14.3 19.4 73.8
1961 15.0 20.4 73.6
1962 15.4 21.3 72.2
1963 16.2 22.3 72.9
1964 17.5 23.8 73.8
1965 19.0 25.7 74.0
1966 19.6 26.8 73.2
1967 20.7 28.1 73.6
1968 22.3 30.0 74.3
1969 24.2 32.4 74.7
1970 27.5 36.5 75.4

Figures for October since 1970 are not available although estimates for April from 1970 onwards are obtainable from the New Earnings Survey.