§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the average earnings of workers in the coal industry, showing underground and above ground separately, expressed as a percentage of the average earnings of male workers in manufacturing industries for the last five years for which figures are available; and what were the corresponding percentages in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Italy.
§ Mr. GoldingThe available information is given below. Separate estimates for underground and surface workers are available from the New Earnings Survey only from 1975. Figures for Holland and Italy are not available because relatively few colliery workers are employed in these countries.
§ Mr. GoldingConstruction workers in Cheshire, as in the rest of the country, should benefit from the allocation of the additional £811 million over the next three years for construction projects announced by the Government during 1977. Construction workers will also continue to be eligible to benefit from the Government's special employment measures.