HC Deb 22 March 1982 vol 20 cc252-3W
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the ratio between average wages of adult workers and young workers in (a) non-wages council industries and (b) industries where wage councils exist.

Mr. Alison

The following information relates to full-time employees whose pay was not affected by absence in the new earnings survey for April 1981:

Average gross weekly earnings (£) Average gross weekly earnings (£)
Males aged 21 and over (1) Males aged under 21 (2) (1) as a ratio of (2) (3) Females aged 18 and over (4) Females aged under 18 (5) (4) as a ratio of (5) (6)
Not within scope of a Wages Board or Council 142.4 75.0 1.90 94.5 52.4 1.80
Within scope of a Wages Board or Council 10.25 67.5 1.52 68.0 46.0 1.48

Source: New Earnings Survey 1981.

Differences in average earnings between the two sectors identified above will reflect differences in the structure of employment in terms of occupational groups, and levels of skill and qualification.