§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of average weekly earnings of male industrial workers with £2 earnings disregard for supplementary benefit represented when it was introduced in November 1966; what it represents now; and what equivalent percentage the £4 earnings disregard proposal in the Social Security Benefits Bill will represent.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe £2 earnings disregard represented 9.9 per cent. of the 283W average weekly earnings of male industrial workers in November 1966, and 4 per cent. in October 1974, which is the latest month for which estimates of average industrial earnings are available. A disregard of £4 would represent 8.1 per cent. at October 1974. It is not possible to say what the percentage would be at any later date.