asked the Taoiseach the average wage of industrial workers.

The average weekly earnings of industrial workers in industries producing transportable goods was 274s. 6d. in mid-June, 1968, which is the latest date for which this information is available at present.

What is the average wage?

Wage, not earnings.

The figure of 274/6d quoted in the reply represents the average weekly earnings of all male and female adults and juveniles engaged in industry producing transportable goods. It includes overtime, bonuses and basic pay.

What is the average "wage", not "earnings"? I want the wage.

Average basic wage.

The Parliamentary Secretary would not know that, would he?

"To ask the Taoiseach the average wage of industrial workers." The only answer I can give——

It is the wrong information. We want the "wage".

Ask for the basic wage. "Basic" pins it down.