§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what evidence he has about trends in the employment prospects of groups with above average earnings and of the effect on their employment prospects of salary increases above the rate of inflation.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley:There is no specific evidence on the part that the cost of labour has played in determining the employment prospects of groups with above average earnings. However, there is general evidence, too, that these prospects would be enhanced if the cost of labour fell in real terms. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Leighton) on 22 October 1984, at column 481, and the recent publication by the Treasury, "The relationship between employment and wages", a copy of which is available in the Library.