HC Deb 23 October 1967 vol 751 cc1337-8
36. Mr. Biffen

asked the Attorney-General what settlement has been reached concerning the pay claim for an increase of 17 per cent. by ushers in London's Royal Courts of Justice; if he will list the terms of the settlement; and how they are related to the considerations of lower-paid workers and increased productivity as indicated by the Government's prices and incomes policy.

The Attorney-General

A new national scale, rising from £13 7s. 0d. to £14 7s. 6d. a week, has been introduced with effect from 1st July, 1966. This is in accord with the criteria for wage increases set out in the White Papers on prices and incomes policy. The increases are related to the pay of messengers and paper-keepers, for whom revised scales were determined recently by recognised pay research procedures. In accordance with the prices and incomes policy, the increases are being paid in two instalments, the first at the end of July and the second on 1st January, 1968.

Mr. Biffen

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what percentage the increases represent?

The Attorney-General

In percentage terms, the increases range from approximately 9.2 per cent. at the bottom end of the scale, to 10.2 per cent. at the top.