HC Deb 14 July 1954 vol 530 cc444-5
6. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement in regard to the further discussions which have taken place concerning the distinction between industrial engineering staff employed by his Department and dilutees in regard to eligibility for merit pay.

Mr. Ward

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 2nd June, 1954, to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) and my hon. Friend the Member for Buckinghamshire, South (Mr. R. Bell).

Mr. Macpherson

Would my hon. Friend say whether there is any substance in the reports that further negotiations have taken place and that a further agreement has been made in which a new kind of merit pay has been introduced, over and above the merit pay of £1?

Mr. Ward

The only agreement that has been made about merit pay is that dilutees with more than five years' service will be able to qualify for the rates of merit pay that may be earned by fully skilled workers.