§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the national average wage for manual workers.
§ Mr. BoothThe most recent figures available come from this Department's inquiry, in October 1974, into the earnings and hours of manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries. Average gross weekly earnings of full-time manual men, aged 21 and over, in the United Kingdom were then £48.63. The corresponding figure for women manual workers, aged 18 and over, was £27.01. The industries covered are manufacturing, mining and quarrying—except coal mining—construction, gas, electricity and water, transport and communication—except railways and sea transport—public administration and certain miscellaneous services.