§ 2. Sir E. Erringtonasked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now announce his decision in regard to the rise in pay for industrial telephonists at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WoodhouseThe pay of industrial telephonists at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, is not a matter for my decision. Increases in pay for all female industrial telephonists in the Civil Service, in stages from 1st January, 1961, to 1st January, 1963, were approved by the Treasury last month. Accordingly, payment is being 24 made this week at the new rates, including the arrears. The pay of male industrial telephonists at Farnborough is on a different basis and remains unchanged, but from 1st January next both male and female industrial telephonists will receive non-industrial status and common scales of pay.
§ Sir E. ErringtonIs it correct that up to 1st January, 1963, females are receiving more than male telephonists? Also, have any arrangements been made to preserve the differentials in respect of supervising telephonists?
§ Mr. WoodhouseIt is the case that in some age groups female telephonists will get more than men between now and 1st January next year. This is an inevitable consequence of the fact that the rates are negotiated within separate negotiating machineries. There are three supervisors at Farnborough, and they are all G.P.O. staff and will, therefore, receive the 4 per cent. increase in the national rates announced last Friday.