§ 4. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Labour how many applications have been received for productivity pay increases to be approved; and what he expects will be the average time spent before an answer is given in each case.
§ Mr. HattersleyBy 16th February, the Ministry had received 284 proposals for increase in pay during the period of severe restraint under the criterion relating to productivity and efficiency.
The time taken to deal with each proposal varies considerably according to the complexity of the case and the need to seek further information. It is not possible to give an estimate of the time necessary to reach decisions on the outstanding proposals.
§ Mr. RidleyIs it not quite clear from this experience that it is totally impracticable for the Government to try to attempt to control every wage increase and assess its merits? Would not the hon. Gentleman admit that this is, in fact, an administrative impossibility for all time?
§ Mr. HattersleyI have never heard any proposal that the Government should control every wage increase and assess the merits of every one. Those which the Government have been asked to assess, those related to this criterion, have been dealt with with a good deal of dispatch and expedition.