§ Mr. Walter Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will institute a publicity campaign on the question of average earnings and on how they are made up, in order to help clear up misunderstandings among many workers.
§ Mr. Harold Walker, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9th December 1977; Vol. 940, c. 931], gave the following information:
I agree with my hon. Friend that the basis of the earnings figures should be made clear. My Department already makes considerable efforts to this end. In particular, when estimates of average earnings of employees derived from its various surveys are published, their coverage, methods of compilation and, where possible, their make-up in terms of overtime pay and other components are also given. In addition, where possible, indications are given of the spread or distribution of individual earnings above and below the average.