HC Deb 27 April 1987 vol 115 cc51-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (i) the percentage increase in median earnings for full-time adult male manual and non-manual workers in real terms since 1976 and 1979, respectively, (ii)

Percentage increases over stated periods
Real earnings Relative export prices of United Kingdom manufactured goods3 Exchange rates3
Great Britain1 Germany2 Germany Japan DM/£ Yen/£
Manual Non manual
1976–86 +6 +20 +12 +22 +7 -32 -57
1979–86 +4 +19 +3 +4 -10 -20 -50

information available to him on the change in United Kingdom relative export prices for manufactures compared to Germany and Japan, together with relevant nominal rates of exchange and (iii) information on the nearest comparable earnings figures for Germany.

Mr. MacGregor

The figures requested are shown in the table.

1 Median earnings, all industries, adult males from "new Earnings Survey" deflated by RPI Figures relate to April of each year.

2 Index of average hourly earnings in manufacturing deflated by the consumer price index.Source—OECD main Economic Indicators, for April each year.

3 United Kingdom export unit value index for manufactured goods divided by corresponding German or Japanese index. All indices measured in a common currency. Derived from data published in the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics and IMF International Financial Statistics. Figures refer to 1986Q3, the latest period for which information is available.