§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the percentage increases in wages and salaries in the central South-Western region of England in 1973 and 1974; and what were the corresponding figures for (i) England and Wales and (ii) the United Kingdom as a whole.
§ Mr. BoothThe following New Earnings Survey estimates relate to April of each year and to full-time adult employees whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. The new English counties were adopted as standard sub-regions for statistical purposes in 1974 and use of the former central sub-division of the South-West region was discontinued.
Wales and the United Kingdom the corresponding increase was 15 per cent. However, this observed difference is within the margin of error to which these estimates are subject and is not necessarily significant.
The information for the South-West region is for the area defined before reorganisation in 1974. Estimates of total household income are not available for an area smaller than the South-West region as a whole, nor are they yet available for 1974.