§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report for the Armed Forces (a) average earnings for 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 and (b) the total numbers employed for the same years.
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§ Mr. BlakerThe average gross earnings for the Armed Forces (excluding allowances designed to compensate or reimburse for essential additional expenses) were: 1978–79, £4,938: 1979–80, £6,661: 1980–81, £7,806: and 1981–82, £8,514. Average numbers employed for the same years were: 287,600, 284,600, 291,900 and 302,100 respectively.