§ 16. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what co-operation and contact he now enjoys with public representatives in the Province; and whether he will make a statement.
332Wavailable to provide estimates of earning levels at the top 5 per cent., 10 per cent., 25 per cent., 50 per cent. and 75 per cent. of the earnings distribution. I regret that reliable estimates of earnings above the top 5 per cent. point are not available and that the other specified points in the distribution could be calculated only at disproportionate cost. The table below shows the annual percentage increases in pre-tax and post-tax earnings for a married man at the specified levels of earnings at April 1978 and April 1986. The earnings levels are those for males (all occupations) paid at adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. It is assumed that the wife has no earnings. Income tax has been calculated using the regimes for the financial years commencing in the appropriate Aprils. Contracted-in rates of national insurance contributions have been assumed.
§ Mr. Tom KingI enjoy regular and useful contact with public representatives from the Alliance and Social Democratic and Labour parties. It is a matter of regret that Unionist representatives choose not to pursue with us those issues which are important to the future development of Northern Ireland.