§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish 734W in the Official Report a list showing the extent to which hon. Members' salaries would have to be increased to achieve, the same increases as obtained since 1974 by miners, dockers, road haulage workers, print workers, engineers and any other stated groups for which information is readily available.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI have been asked to reply.
New earnings survey estimates of percentage increases in average weekly earnings are given below for men in selected occupational groups. They relate to the period from April 1974 to April 1978. The basic parliamentary salary increased by 53 per cent. in this period.
INCREASES FROM APRIL 1974–78 IN AVERAGE GROSS WEEKLY EARNINGS FOR FULL-TIME MEN WHOSE PAY FOR THE SURVEY PAY PERIOD WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ABSENCE Non-manual Occupational Groups Increase (per cent.) Accounts 80.0 Electrical and electronic engineers 93.0 Mechanical engineers 90.0 Engineering draughtsmen 95.0 Medical practitioners 86.0 General clerks 87.0 Policemen (below Sergeant) 89.0 Manual Occupational Groups Hospital porters 87.0 General farm workers 75.0 Compositors 85.0 Printing machine minders 84.0 Maintenance fitters (non-electrical) 87.0 Motor vehicle mechanics (skilled) 85.0 Bricklayers 70.0 Face-trained coal miners 114.0 Heavy goods drivers (over 3 tons) 83.0 Other goods drivers 74.0 Stevedores and dockers 73.0