HC Deb 19 October 1954 vol 531 cc1012-3
21. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on his proposals for a salary index for professional and clerical workers; and the range of professions, industries and services to be covered.

Mr. Watkinson

Following discussions with the industries concerned, arrangements have been made for collecting certain statistics relating to the earnings of salaried staff in national and local government service, including the educational, medical and dental services, and also in the coalmining, transport, gas and electricity industries. It is hoped to extend these arrangements to some other industries and services, but at present I am unable to give a complete list.

Mr. Palmer

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the very real concern among trade unions and organisations representing professional workers about the lack of any direct consultation with them on this matter? Has there been any consultation with the staff sides of the Whitley Councils?

Mr. Watkinson

This matter has been fully discussed in the National Joint Advisory Council and no doubt will come up again in due course.

Mr. Albu

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the inquiry on which the index is to be based uses a sufficiently wide sample of the class of persons to be covered by it?

Mr. Watkinson

That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.