To investigate the role of national wage settlements in the process of wage inflation. Variables Settlements: title of agreement, date of implementation, date of settlement, standard weekly hours, time rate of minimum earnings level, basic weekly/hourly wage of top male/semi-skilled male/bottom male/female, arbitration, Government intervention, staged settlement code, cost of living clause. Agreements: title, main order heading, bargaining system at 1950/1973, date of change from one bargaining system to another, trade unions involved and operation dates, geographical area covered at 1950/1973, date of change of geographical area covered, number of workers covered at dates 1950, 1955, 1965, 1970, 1975, wage rate as percentage of standard weekly earnings, source of wage rate information. Retail Price Index: year/week of observation, RPI all items/foods/all except foods/all except seasonal foods.