§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list (a) the total increase in the nation's earnings bill since 1st August 1977 (b) the percentage of this increase attributable to changes in basic rates, (c) the percentage of this increase attributable to wage drift and (d) the percentage of this increase attributable to increased productivity; and whether these are within the limits set for the current pay round.
§ Mr. GoldingI have been asked to reply.
Month to month estimates of the national wage and salary bill are not made. However, between July 1977 and May 1978, the index of average earnings for the whole economy—new series—increased by about 11.2 per cent. This will include the effects of changes in the composition of the labour force, seasonal movements and the effect of abnormal payments, such as back pay, made in these particular months and exclude the effects of delayed pay agreements or delayed implementation of settlements. It is not possible to analyse the movement in the index to distinguish the contributions made by changes in rates of pay, 278W earnings drift, or changes in industrial activity and productivity.