HC Deb 24 April 1967 vol 745 cc1153-4
50. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of wage negotiations that have been concluded since 1st January; what are the numbers involved and the approximate percentage increase in rates and earnings arising from these settlements; and what are the corresponding figures for salary negotiations.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Roy Hattersley)

Thirty-four major settlements, involving about 1,700,000 workers, were reached during the first quarter of 1967. These figures include three salary settlements involving about 50,000 workers. The approximate average increase in minimum rates of pay is 4.6 per cent.; It is not possible to calculate the effect upon earnings. Only three settlements have so far been implemented.

Mr. Biffen

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the most significant figure of all is the effect upon earnings? As the House regularly every week is involved in legislation to stop trade unionists from carrying out what they would normally expect to be their activities, does not the hon. Gentleman think that the least his Ministry should do is to give us the relevant statistics for the movement of incomes in the economy?

Mr. Hattersley

I am very well aware, as is my right hon. Friend, of the necessity to extend Government statistics in so far as they affect earnings. I am equally well aware that the figures which I have announced this afternoon show that the hon. Gentleman is wrong in his contention about the nature of House of Commons business week by week. Most weeks the Ministry of Labour accepts voluntary deferment of wage claims.