Wages

HC Deb 21 May 1962 vol 660 cc15-7

19. Sir Richard Pilkington

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will list those industries where wage increases granted so far during this year have been over two and a half per cent.

Mr. Hare

As the answer consists of a tabular statement, I will, with permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir Richard Pilkington

In view of the fact that any increase over 2½ per cent. harms the economy as a whole, does not such a list constitute a black list of those putting their sectional interests in front of the national interest?

Mr. Hare

It is true that, in many cases, settlements have been reached far in excess of what the Government would have considered reasonable within the terms of their incomes policy. It is my view, however, that the policy has had a tremendous effect, taken over all, in seeing that settlements have not been as high as they would otherwise have been.

Mr. Gunter

Would it not be more accurate for the right hon. Gentleman to say that, as the list is so long, he does not wish to reveal it at this moment? Will he not admit, in view of what that list will contain, that the "guiding light" is rather dim? Can he also tell us at what stage the 1922 Committee will discuss this situation in the light of his answer?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Gentleman will not deny that the incomes policy has had a very considerable success. One of the obvious reasons why it may be shown to be a success is that we are now more competitive than we have ever been in our history. That would not have been so unless costs had been kept down to a reasonable level.

Mr. Ridsdale

As there has been a certain amount of inconsistency in these increases, does not my right hon. Friend think it necessary for the Government to take more powers to ensure more fairness between one award and another?

Mr. Hare

That is a very different question, although I would be only too delighted to answer it.

The following is the statement:

Industries in which so far this year settlements have resulted or will result in the minimum rates for manual workers being increased by more than 2½ per cent.

(Similar information in respect of salaried workers is not available.)

• Forestry.
• Coal mining.
• Roadstone quarrying.
• China clay industry.
• Ball clay industry.
• Flour Milling (electricians and mechanics).
• Baking (multiple bakers in England and Wales; Wages Council for Scotland).
• Cocoa, Chocolate and sugar confectionery manufacture.
• Food manufacture.
• Milk products manufacture (Scotland).
• Brewing (Scotland and Birmingham).
• Tobacco manufacture.
• Coke ovens and by-products works associated with coalmining.
• Heavy chemicals manufacture.
• Chemical fertiliser manufacture.
• Drug and fine chemicals manufacture.
• Paint, varnish and lacquer manufacture.
• Plastics manufacture (chemical side).
• Fat melting and bone degreasing.
• Boot and floor polish manufacture
• Electrical cable making.
• Vehicle building.
• Railway workshops (British Railways and London Transport Executive).
• Perambulator and invalid carriage manufacture.
• Tin box manufacture.
• Rayon yarn production.
• Woollen industry (Scotland)
• Jute manufacture.
• Narrow fabrics industry.
• Linen and cotton handkerchiefs and household goods and linen piece goods manufacture.
• Leather producing industry.
• Leather belting and strap butt currying.
• Mechanical and "hydraulic" leathers manufacture.
• Buffalo picker "manufacture".
• Leather goods, saddlery and harness manufacture.
• Retail saddlery and leather goods trade.
• Rubberproofed garment making.
• Shirts, collar, tie, etc., making.
• Corset manufacture.
• Umbrella manufacture (Glasgow).
• Silica brick manufacture (England and Wales)
• Fletton brick manufacture.
• Pottery manufacture.
• Ready-mixed concrete industry.
• Pre-cast concrete products industry (Scotland).
• Asbestos cement manufacture.
• Sawmilling (Skilled workers in England and Wales).

• Fencing manufacture and erection.
• Coopering.
• Wood box, packing case and wooden container manufacture.
• Paper making, building board, etc.
• Paper box making.
• Paper bag making.
• National newspaper printing (London and Manchester electricians and mechanics only).
• Rubber manufacture.
• Brush and broom making.
• Hair, bass and fibre processing.
• Drawing office materials manufacture.
• Organ building.
• Match manufacture.
• Exhibition stand, construction and erection, etc.
• Electrical contracting (England and Wales).
• Gas supply.
• Water supply.
• Cold storage.
• Railways (British Railways and London Transport Executive).
• Road passenger transport (London Transport Executive and Company-owned undertakings).
• Inland waterways.
• Dock labour.
• Wholesale grocery and provision trade (England and Wales).
• Milk distribution (Scotland).
• Coal and coke distribution.
• Cotton waste reclamation.
• Unlicensed places of refreshment.
• British Transport (Howls and Catering Services).
• Government Industrial Establishments ("M" rated workers).
• Local authority services (England and Wales—manual workers and workers in school meals service and civic restaurants).