asked the Taoiseach the latest available figures for weekly (a) male, (b) female industrial earnings in manufacturing industries.

The average weekly earnings of industrial workers in manufacturing industries on adult rates of pay for mid-September 1978 (the latest period for which the data are available) are as follows: Men (on adult rates), £87.78; Women (on adult rates), £48.51.

These totals include payments for overtime, service pay, commissions, allowances and other bonuses paid regularly.

The statistics are related to an average number of hours worked per week of: Men (on adult rates), 44.3 hours; Women (on adult rates), 38.0 hours.