§ 19. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the electricity boards that their employees' wages are always to be paid promptly, and that, in an emergency, special arrangements are to be made for doing this.
§ Mr. John MorrisNo, Sir. The boards have the importance of this matter well in mind and special arrangements are already in operation.
§ Mr. DribergWould my hon. Friend say what special arrangements are in operation at the power station at Barking? Is he aware that many of my constituents—including the wages clerks, who regret the present situation as much as anyone—are now drawing their pay more than a week late? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Is he aware that this is the first official dispute in the history of the clerical side of this industry, and is it not up to the board to agree to reopen negotiations?
§ Mr. MorrisI understand that there has been a difficulty at Barking and that some delays in the payment of wages have 215 occurred as a result of the work to rule and ban on overtime for clerical and administrative workers. I understand that the boards are doing their best to avoid delays by making emergency arrangements, including the provision of advances on account.