§ 5. Mr. Biffenasked the Minister for the Civil Service what proposals he has for revising the salary structure of senior civil servants.
§ Mrs. HartI would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply on 1st April to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis.)—[Vol. 781, c. 81.]
§ Mr. BiffenDoes the right hon. Lady acknowledge that the National Board for Prices and Incomes implicitly recognised that the salaries of these people could not be insulated from the consequences of the recent increases in pay by the chairmen of nationalised undertakings—a point reinforced by the latest increase given to Lord Melchett? Is the right hon. Lady seized of the point?
§ Mrs. HartIt is not a question of whether I am seized of it; the question is that the pay of higher civil servants is under review, at its own initiative, by the Standing Advisory Committee. This Committee is expected to report in due course, and no doubt will have borne in mind the report of the N.B.P.I. on top salaries in the private sector.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisIf my right hon. Friend does bear in mind the suggestion made by the hon. Member for Owestry (Mr. Biffen), will she also bear in mind that it would give very much pleasure to hon. Members on this side of the House if she would try to treat nurses on the same basis as the hon. Member has suggested?
§ Mr. HigginsThe right hon. Lady will be aware that following the statement by her right hon. Friend on salaries of the chairmen of the nationalised industries, some confusion has arisen in regard to the prices and incomes norm. Is it her understanding that the norm is 3½ per cent. in total, or 3½ per cent. going back to the date when the last increase took place?
§ Mrs. HartOn this question we have to await the conclusions of the Standing Advisory Committee which has been looking into the matter. In due time no doubt it may report and take due 918 account of comparability, norms and other questions which arise.