§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment which five groups of wages council employees were the poorest paid in October 1974; to what extent these wages had risen to October 1977; and allowing for the rise or fall in the £ sterling and cost of living, to what extent these workers' standard of living has risen or fallen during this period.
§ Mr. John Grant:The information is not available in the form requested, since no earnings figures exist by wages councils trades or industries for October of each year. The following is, therefore, based on statutory minimum remuneration:
Wages Councils setting lowest minima for men at 1st October 1974 %increases in mininma 1st October 1974 to 1st October 1977 Fur 152 Cotton Waste Reclamation 169 Ostrich and Fancy Feather and Artificial Flower 109 Retail Bespoke Tailoring (Scotland) 114 Licensed Non-Residential Establishment 100 The retail price index for October 1977 has not yet been published but between October 1974 and September 1977, the index increased by 64 per cent.