HC Deb 22 April 1977 vol 930 cc194-5W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the latest available information regarding earnings of men referred to by the Chancellor, Official Report, 29th March, c. 283, in a form which shows averages, medians, quartiles and deciles and percentage distribution of gross weekly earnings.

Mr. Golding

I understand that the rounded figures used in the Budget Statement were rough estimates which updated a few of the April 1976 figures in Table 22 of the 1976 New Earnings Survey results. A full range of information on the distribution of earnings in April 1977 will be published in due course in the results of this year's survey.

Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to his reply, Official Report, 7th April, c. 675, concerning earnings within the regions of the United Kingdom, what information he has as to the cause of the situation whereby earnings of full-time manual workers are lower in England than in either Wales or Scotland; and whether he is satisfied with his regional employment policies in view of the lower level of earnings in East Anglia than in the assisted areas of northern England, Scotland and Wales.

Mr. Golding

The figures given in the reply to which the hon. Member refers relate only to the earnings of manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries. Differences in average earnings between regions include the effects of different industrial and occupational structures. They do not, therefore, give a precise indication of differences in earnings for comparable work, and they are only one of the indicators of the relative prosperity of regions. Average earnings are, therefore, not the only criterion considered in determining the priorities for regional assistance. Such factors as the economic development and general character of the region, the state of employment and unemployment and population migration are also relevant. The Government's regional policy is designed to assist those areas judged to need assistance when all these considerations have been taken into account.