§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish 697W a table comparing average earnings in each member State of the European Economic Community, in January 1979 or at the latest available date, and expressed in local currencies, in European units of account, and in £ sterling.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe latest information is given in the table below.
Because of differences in national definitions and methods of compilation, the
AVERAGF GROSS HOURLY EARNINGS OF MANUAL WORKERS* IN APRIL 1978 National currency European units of account Pounds sterling United Kingdom … … … 1.67 £ 2.47 1.67 Belgium … … … … 184.00 Bfr 4.62 3.13 Denmark … … … … 40.17 DKR 5.72 3.87 France … … … … 16.69 Ffr 2.91 1.97 Germany (Federal Republic) … 11.68 DM 4.58 3.09 Ireland† … … … … 1.57 £ 2.39 1.57 Italy … … … … . . . . . . Luxembourg … … … 217.0 Lux fr 5.45 3.69 Netherlands … … … 12.63 Fl 4.63 3.13 Sources: Statistical Office of the European Communities. Irish Industrial Inquiries. * Males and females in manufacturing, mining, quarrying and construction industries. † March 1978, excluding construction. . . Not available.