HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc457-8W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will show the average earnings and average overall output per person both expressed in European units of account of persons working in (a) coal mining industry, (b) car industry, and (c) agriculture in Great Britain and Germany, respectively.

Mr. Golding,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th July 1977; Vol. 936, c. 63], gave the following information

For the coal mining industry in Germany in 1975, average earnings, including allowances, per man shift paid for were 29.57 European units of account, based on all workers. Figures for Great Britain published by the National Coal Board show that in the 12 months to end March 1976 average earnings, including allowances, per man shift worked were 28.17 European units of account, based on all workers. The figures for the two countries are not precisely comparable since the terms "shifts paid for" and "shifts worked" differ in their treatment of holidays, training periods, rest days, etc., and the term "all workers" differs in its coverage.

In the manufacture of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories, the average gross hourly earnings of all workers employed at October 1975 was 3.75 European units of account in Germany and 2.57 European units of account in the United Kingdom.

In agriculture, the average gross hourly earnings of all workers employed at October 1975 was 2.31 European units of account in Germany and 1.58 European units of account in the United Kingdom.

It is regretted that comparable figures of output per person employed, measured in European units of account, are not available from international sources at the level of detail required.