HC Deb 18 June 1981 vol 6 cc434-5W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the pay of an adult farm worker in Northern Ireland in 1971; and what is the present pay, figures to0 be given in cash terms and also in real terms taking the 1971 figure as 100

Mr. Adam Butler

[pursuant to his reply, 17 June 1981]: The average weekly earnings of an adult male farm worker in Northern Ireland in 1971 was £15.21 for a basic 43-hour week, compared with average weekly earnings of £64.46 in 1980, the last year for which figures are available, for a basic 40-hour week. The table below gives a comparison in "cash terms" and "real terms".

Average weekly earnings of adult male farm workers in Northern Ireland.
1971 1980 1980 Cash terms Real terms
(Cash Terms) (Real Terms) (Cash Terms) 1971 1980 1971 1980
(Col. A) £15.21 (Col. B) £19.55 (Col. C) £64.46 (Col. A) £100 (Col. A) £423.8 (Col. A) £100 (Col. A) £128.5

Note: The "real term" figures are calculated by reference to a retail price index of 329.8 for 1980, taking 1971 = 100.