§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the average weekly minimum earnings for men and women, respectively, in industries covered by the wages councils for each of the past five years.
§ Mr. AlisonMinimum rates set by wages councils are the same for men and women. The following table gives the information about earnings:110W
Average Gross Weekly Earnings, April (Full-time workers whose pay was not affected by absence) Year Men (21 and over) £ Women (18 and over) £ 1977 61.9 37.8 1978 71.0 42.9 1979 77.4 48.9 1980 94.1 60.0 1981 102.5 68.0