HC Deb 13 March 1967 vol 743 cc30-1
28. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of wage and salary settlements that have been concluded to operate during the period of severe restraint; how many of these were notified to his Department; and what were the numbers of employees involved.

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

Twenty-one major settlements involving 1,300,000 workers have been reached since 1st January, 1967. Of these five, involving 550,000 workers, specified dates of operation during the period of severe restraint, but in two cases which have not satisfied the severe restraint criteria the date is being deferred until after the end of the period. All the settlements were notified to my Department.

Mr. Biffen

But is it the hon. Gentleman's proposition that these covered all the settlements that had been concluded? Do they, for example, include the 42 settlements of which I have notified him in Written Questions Nos. 17 and 18 today?

Mr. Hattersley

We have no reason to assume that any significant number of settlements concluded during the period have not been notified to my Department.

29. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Labour, under which Section of the Prices and Incomes Act, currently in force, he has informed the Association of Salaried Staffs, Executives and Technicians that they have a duty to inform his Department of pay increases which are thought to fall without the criteria for severe restraint.

Mr. Hattersley

The Association has not been so informed, although they are no doubt aware of the contents of paragraphs 37 and 38 of the November White Paper (Cmnd. 3150).

Mr. Biffen

A White Paper is a White Paper, but will the hon. Member confirm that there is no statutory obligation whatsover on Mr. Clive Jenkins and the Association of Salaried Staffs, Executives and Technicians to notify either the hon. Gentleman or his Ministry of any wage settlement they conclude?

Mr. Hattersley

My Ministry has constantly reiterated that there is no statutory obligation. Fortunately, most parties to wage bargains have agreed that they have some other duty and obligation to keep my Ministry informed.

Mr. Stratton Mills

Would the hon. Gentleman agree to publish a statement of the Government's definition of "national interest"?

Mr. Hattersley

The definition of "national interest" differs according to people's standards. I have no doubt that my definition and the hon. Gentleman's are quite different.