§ 4. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether the study she is undertaking of penalties which might be imposed on employers who are in breach of guidelines laid down in the social contract will extend to cover the salaries paid to chief officers of local authorities.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsAction through the Price Code, which I am studying, can influence employers only so far as their prices or charges are controlled under the code. Only the trading services of local authorities are so controlled.
§ Mr. SteelIs the right hon. Lady aware that there is considerable public concern about the quite provocative increases in the salaries of local government officials, particularly those who will be doing, under reorganisation, much the same jobs but with different titles? Can she say whether the proposed inflation tax which apparently is being considered by Ministers will be introduced in time to make sure that some of the increases will be repaid to the community, as we proposed during the last election?
§ Mrs. WilliamsI can understand the hon. Gentieman's concern but the Price Code is probably not the best way to reflect it.