§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his 195W estimate of the percentage of strikers' expenditure which comes from each of the following sources (a) union strike pay, (b) supplementary benefit, (c) tax refunds, (d) personal savings, (e) borrowing and (f) other earnings.
§ Mr. MayhewMy Department has made no assessment of the percentage of strikers' expenditure which comes from the sources listed above. However, published surveys indicate that the proportions vary considerably according to the means of the individual and the circumstances of the dispute in which he or she is involved.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average weekly amount currently paid in strike pay by the unions; and how this compares with strike pay in 1960.
§ Mr. MayhewThe information cannot be provided in the form requested without incurring disproportionate cost. Some indication of the level of strike benefit payable by major unions today can be obtained from union rule books. These show that the level of strike benefit varies widely from union to union. However, of those unions with 100,000 or more members which specify in their rule books the amount of dispute benefit payable, the average specified amount is in the region of £7.50 per week.