§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average wage of a face worker, and a surface worker, in the mines in 1965 and what it is at present; and what it would have to be to have the same purchasing power as in 1965.
287W
§ Mr. GoldingI understand from the National Coal Board that average gross weekly earnings of adult face workers and surface workers in their mines in October 1965 and April 1977 were as given below. The figures exclude sickness pay, holiday and rest day pay and the value of allowances in kind.
October 1965 April 1977 Percentage increase between October 1965 and April 1977 Face workers £21.38 £80.61 277 Surface workers £15.75 £68.31 334 The purchasing power of the gross earnings would vary with the tax and other deductions and allowances, which depend on the individual worker's family and other circumstances. In April 1977 the General Index of Retail Prices was 288W 206 per cent. higher than in October 1965.