§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage increase since February 1974 in the index of average earnings for all employees to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. GoldingThe best available estimate of the increase between February 1974 and April 1978 is about 99 per cent. This is based on seasonally adjusted index numbers in the older series of average earnings, which covers production industries and a few service industries; it includes an adjustment to the February 1974 figures to allow for the temporary reduction in earnings during the three-day working week and other restrictions then in operation.