HC Deb 06 July 1967 vol 749 cc1963-4
4. Mr. Winnick

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what progress has been made in increasing the wages of those employees earning below £15 a week basic pay.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Frederick Lee)

The White Papers, Cmnd. 3150 and Cmnd. 3235, make it clear that the Government regard the improvement of the position of lowest-paid workers as a primary social objective to which priority should be given within the overall objectives of incomes policy. Wage increases affecting a very substantial number of workers have been approved under the criteria for increases to lowest-paid workers set out in these White Papers.

Mr. Winnick

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the recent Ministry of Social Security Report on poverty shows the shocking plight of those people on very low wage rates? Will he also not agree that a positive incomes policy could help those people who are earning below £15 a week? There has not been a great deal of progress in that matter so far.

Mr. Lee

One of the objects of an incomes policy is to assist in this kind of thing. The industries which have had increases include very large numbers of lower-paid workers. About 2½ million workers are involved, and a great number of them are low paid.

Sir R. Cary

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that our essential staff here is gravely under strength and that the urgent need for recruitment ought to be dealt with at once? Yet the inducement in pay is almost less than the figure indicated in this Question.

Mr. Lee

I am not sure that I follow the hon. Gentleman. If he will put a Question down I will try to answer it.

Mr. Huckfield

Could my right hon. Friend say which classes of those workers earning below £15 a week he proposes to submit to the Prices and Incomes Board?

Mr. Lee

One cannot make any kind of generalisation. It depends upon the kind of claim which is made. As I have said, the criterion takes special care of lower-paid workers, and we try to ensure that increases in the rates for the lower-paid under this criterion are not passed on as a differential for the higher-paid workers.

Dr. Summerskill

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the average wage of women employees in this country is well below £15 a week? Would he urge his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to legislate for equal pay for women?

Mr. Lee

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down that Question to her right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

Mr. Winnick

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall try to raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.