HC Deb 13 May 1981 vol 4 cc288-9W
Mr. Strang

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the average weekly earnings for agricultural workers; how these compare with workers in manufacturing and all industrial workers, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures for the past 10 years.

Mr. Peter Walker

The most recent comparisons that can be made on a consistent basis are as below:

Average gross weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers: England and Wales
Agriculture All Hired Men (a) Manufacturing Industries (b) All Index of Production Industries (b)
April £ £ £
1970 19.05 27.6 27.2
1971 20.94 30.2 29.6
1972 23.51 33.4 33.1
1973 28.28 38.7 38.6
1974 33.76 43.6 43.8
1975 42.94 54.3 55.1
1976 50.26 65.2 65.1
1977 54.05 71.8 71.5
1978 61.95 81.7 81.5
1979 72.38 94.5 94.1
1980 87.12 110.7 111.8

Notes:(a) Figures are for the quarter beginning April each year, as recorded by the Wages and Employment Enquiry, and include payments in kind.

(b) Figures are from the Department of Employment's new earnings survey and relate to one pay week in April.

All index of production industries comprises manufacturing, mining and quarrying, construction, gas, electricity and water.

Mr. Strang

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the average earnings for agricultural workers in each of the other member States of the European Community.

Average hourly earnings of full-time regular male workers in agriculture in 1979
1 2 3 4 5
Country National Currency* † Pence: Based on Market Exchange Rates‡ Pence: Based on Purchasing Power Parities** Month of Survey
Germany 9.91 DM 251 195 September
France 15.53 FF 173 143 October
Italy 2,734 LIR 153 170 September
Netherlands 12.01 HFL 282 218 October
Belgium 155 BFR 251 190 October
Luxembourg 101 LFR 159 129 September
United Kingdom 1.45 UK£ 145 145 October
Irish Republic 1.38 IR£ 135 135 November
Denmark 32.37 DKR 288 203 October

Notes

* Source: Eurostat "Hourly Earnings—Hours of Work" Volume 2–1980.

† This series of earnings excludes the value of payments in kind and bonuses not paid regularly.

‡Column 2 expressed in sterling at the exchange rates prevailing during the month of the survey.

** Reflects the relative purchasing power of the data in column 2 in the country concerned during the month of the survey.