§ Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of manual workers' earnings in industries other than mining as compared with the level at the time of the Wilberforce award to the miners.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe following are changes based on the monthly indices of average earnings of all employees; estimates are not available for manual workers only. Between March 1972, the month after the Wilberforce settlement, and August 1973, average earnings in270W manufacturing industries increased by 19.2 per cent.—after adjustment for normal seasonal movements—and in agriculture, construction, and gas, electricity and water by 43.1 per cent., 24.3 per cent. and 13.2 per cent. respectively—these figures being available only without seasonal adjustment. The corresponding August 1973 index for mining and quarrying was 28.1 per cent. higher than in October 1971, before industrial action preceding the Wilberforce settlement, and 10.7 per cent. higher than in March 1972.