§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what were the average earnings by the lowest-paid decile of the population in(a) 1979 and (b) 1991 in (i) 1979 prices and (ii) 1991 prices;
(2) what was the change in income of the lowest paid 10 per cent. of the population in Wales between 1979 and 1991, expressed in real terms.
§ Mr. RedwoodIt is not statistical custom to calculate average earnings within the lowest or highest deciles. Information on the lowest decile earnings of men and women combined are not readily available in 1979. At constant 1979 prices, 10 per cent. of full-time male employees in Wales earned below £60.10 per week in 1979 compared with 10 per cent. earning under £60.30 in 1991. The corresponding figures for full-time female employees were £39.70 and £46.50.
At constant 1991 prices, 10 per cent. of full-time male employees earned below £147.30 in 1979 while 10 per cent. earned below £147.90 in 1991, an increase of 0.4 per cent. The 1979 and 1991 figures for full-time female employees were £97.30 and £114.10 respectively, an increase of 17.3 per cent.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the threshold wage level for the lowest paid 10 per cent. of the population in Wales in 1991, expressed in 1979 prices.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe new earnings survey estimates that, in 1991, 10 per cent. of full time adult employees in Wales earned below £52.5 per week, expressed in 1979 prices deflated by the retail prices index.
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