§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage increase in pay and cash increase at current prices, for nurses, doctors, and ancillary workers each year since 1970; and what, for each of these years, was the percentage increase in (i) the retail price index and (ii) in national average earnings.
Pay-round Year (1 August–31 July) Retail Prices Index (July-July) Average Earnings Index* (July-July) Doctors and Dentists Nurses and Midwives Ancillary staff (Percentage increase) (Average percentage settlement) 1977–78 7.8 14.2 10.0 10.0 10.0 1978–79 15.7 16.5 25.7 10.0 9.0 1979–80 16.9 18.9 31.4 37.9 25.0 1980–81 10.9 12.0 6.0 6.0 7.8 1981–82 8.7 10.9 6.2 †— 6.0 1982–83 4.2 7.8 9.7 †12.3 4.5 1983–84 4.5 5.2 6.9 7.5 4.5 1984–85 6.9 8.8 6.3 8.6 4.7 Notes:
* The method of calculation of the Average Earnings Index was changed in January 1980: percentages for the payment years 1981–82 onwards are on the new basis.
†Two-year award paid wholly in 1982–83 pay round year.