HC Deb 06 November 1979 vol 973 c128W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage increase in the average gross weekly earnings of manual and non-manual workers in Great Britain would be necessary to raise them to the average gross weekly earnings of (a) the highest paid director amongst the United Kingdom's top 100 companies, (b) a field-marshal in the Army and (c) the members of the Commission of the Common Market.

Mr. Jim Lester

Figures on the basis set out in the notes below are as follows:

Percentage increase required to bring the average gross weekly earnings of (a) manual and (b) non-manual employees to the corresponding earnings of:

(a) (b)
The highest-paid director 5,539 4,541
A field-marshal in the Army 477 375
A member of the European Commission 1,109 895

Notes:

Average gross weekly earnings of full-time men whose pay was not affected by absence in April 1979 were £93 and £113 for manual and non-manual employees respectively. Source: new earnings survey.