asked the Taoiseach the average gross hourly wages in manufacturing industry in April, 1967, 1968 and 1969 respectively.

The average earnings per hour of all wage-earners in manufacturing industry in a week in March, 1967, 1968 and 1969 were as follows:—

The earnings data from which these averages are derived cover total earnings including basic pay, overtime, bonuses, etc.

Corresponding averages are not available for April of the years referred to.

158.

asked the Taoiseach if he will state for 1967 taking base 1958=100, the hourly gross wages index and consumer price index.

The index of average earnings per hour of wage-earners engaged in manufacturing industries in 1967 was 185.9, to base year 1958= 100. The earnings data used in computing this index cover total earnings including basic pay, overtime, bonuses, etc.

The consumer price index for the year 1967 was 131.2, to base year 1958=100.

159.

asked the Taoiseach if he will state the wages and labour costs in manufacturing industry in 1967 taking the average of both sexes (a) average gross hourly wage (b) average total labour costs and (c) additional labour costs as a percentage of wage costs.

160.

asked the Taoiseach if he will give the breakdown of fringe benefits for 1962 and each succeeding year under the headings total as a percentage of wage costs and of which (a) social security, (b) family allowances, (c) holidays, (d) bonuses and bounties and (e) other costs.

Information on earnings in manufacturing industry is derived from the annual census of industrial production and the quarterly industrial inquiries. For earnings, the data collected relate to the gross figure inclusive of basic pay, overtime, bonuses, etc. Separate information on the constituent items is not collected. Information is not sought on the various types of fringe benefits specified by the Deputy. Data collected on labour costs other than gross earnings relate to employers' contributions to superannuation funds, payments of pensions other than those paid out of these funds and employers' contributions under the Social Welfare Acts. The information available for the years 1962-1967 for manufacturing industries is as follows:—

* Comprising—

(a) Employers' contributions to Superannuation Funds.

(b) Payments of pensions other than those paid out of these Funds.

(c) Employers' contributions under the Social Welfare Acts.

161.

asked the Taoiseach the average hours worked in industry, including overtime, for (a) manufacturing industry only and (b) manufacturing buildings extractive taking weekly average over year 1967.

The average hours worked per week by wage-earners for the year 1967 in the industrial categories specified by the Deputy are given below, in so far as the data are available.

* Particulars for building and construction (private sector) are available only for a week in October, 1967.