asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage increase in prices and earnings, respectively, between November 1973 and August 1974, between August 1974 and

Period					Prices (United Kingdom)	Average earnings (Great Britain)
November 1973 to August 1974	…	…	…	…	12·7	17·1
August 1974 to March 1975	…	…	…	…	13·2	14·6
March 1975 to March 1976	…	…	…	…	21·2	19·4
March 1976 to March 1977	…	…	…	…	16·7	See below

By February 1977 the monthly index of average earnings was 9·5 per cent. higher than in March 1976. Estimates to March 1977 are not yet available.