HC Deb 09 November 1977 vol 938 cc132-3W
Mr. Raison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish an estimate for the real take-home pay of the average industrial worker for 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77 and 1977–78 on a basis 1945–46 equals 100, comparable with figures given in Written Answer, Official Report, 22nd July 1977, columns 773–4.

Mr. Robert Sheldon,pursuant to his reply[Official Report, 8th November 1977 ; Vol. 938, c. 78],gave the following information:

The figures in my earlier reply were based on earnings information for October in each year. The earnings figure for October 1977 is not yet available.

Mr. Raison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to his reply of 4th May 1977, he will now update the table he then published in theOfficial Reportin answer to the Question of the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit), which showed changes in the real take-home pay of the average worker.

Mr. Robert Sheldon,pursuant to his reply[Official Report, 8th November 1977; Vol. 938, c. 78],circulated the following information:

The revised figures are as follows:

Married man with two children under 11
1. Real take-home pay at August 1977 prices 2. Real net income at August 1977 prices
£per week
December 1973 66.10 67.79
December 1974 68.91 70.33
December 1975 63.78 65.68
December 1976 61.80 63.45
August 1977 60.16 62.66

The figures in column I have been calculated on the same basis as those given in reply to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) on 4th May 1977 —[Vol. 931, c. 184–5]—except that the figures for August 1977 take account of the Chancellor's proposals of 26th October 1977. The figure of average earnings and the price index now relate to August 1977. In addition, the estimate of average earnings in December 1976 has been reduced slightly following the publication by the Department of Employment of the New Earnings Survey for April 1977.

The figures in column 2 include the family allowance/child benefit as appropriate.

Mr. Tebbit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to his replies of 16th December 1976, 2nd March and 4th May 1977, he will now update the tables he then published in theOfficial Reportin answers to Questions from the hon. Member for Chingford, which showed changes in the real value of take home pay of an average worker.

Mr. Robert Sheldon:

I refer the hon. Member to the preceding reply given to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Raison).