HC Deb 11 February 1969 vol 777 cc1104-7
6. Mr. Kenneth Baker

asked the Minister of Power (1) whether he is satisfied that the salary structure for the boards of the nationalised industries for which he is responsible, when compared with corresponding salaries in the private sector of industry, is adequate for the attraction of persons of suitable calibre to those industries; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what proposals he has for changing the salary structure of Board members in the gas industry; and if he will make a statement.

8. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied that the present salary structure of the National Coal Board is adequate for the appointment of persons of the necessary calibre as members; and if he will make a statement.

10. Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied that the salaries of board members of the nationalised industries for which he is responsible compare favourably with the salaries of board members in other nationalised industries; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

35. Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Power what proposals he has for changing the salary structure of Board members in the electricity industry; and if he will make a statement.

38. Mr. Younger

asked the Minister of Power what proposals he has for changing the salary structure of the National Coal Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mason

We should wait for the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Mr. Baker

Does not the Minister agree that one of his main responsibilities is to create a salary structure that will enable him to recruit and retain staff of the right calibre? Why does he shrug this off to Mr. Aubrey Jones? He is the Minister responsible. Why does not he have the courage to increase salaries for nationalised industries, or is he the obedient slave of his Left wing?

Mr. Mason

There are a number of Ministers responsible for nationalised industries. I am aware that major British nationalised industries should be regarded as first rate, and that we cannot do with second raters to ran them. I am aware of the salary problem, which may cause difficulties in recruitment as well as retention of staff, but the N.B.P.I. is examining all of this.

Mr. Crouch

The right hon. Gentleman must be aware of the size and importance still of the National Coal Board. Is not he aware of the difficulty he had early this year in finding three recruits for that Board? Is not there something wrong with its salary structure? Will he do something to put it right?

Mr. Mason

I am not aware that I had any difficulties in finding staff at that time. The Chairman of the National Coal Board has let his views be known to the Chairman of the N.B.P.I. already.

Mr. Lane

Will the Minister accept that the present illogical structure of these top level salaries is the worst possible advertisement for the nationalised industries in attracting new recruits at all levels? Will he assure the House that as soon as the report of the N.B.P.I. is received the Government will act on it with absolute urgency?

Mr. Mason

I am aware also that if there is a depressed level of salaries at the top it causes a log-jam beneath, but the Chairman of the N.B.P.I. will be aware of this.

Mr. Ridley

Since two deputy chairmen of the National Steel Corporation are paid over £20,000 a year, how can the Minister justify waiting for Aubrey Jones to report? Surely it is time he made up his mind and put up the salaries on his own account?

Mr. Mason

I do not see any reason why we should not wait. We are to get a report before long, in April.

Mr. William Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he will resist the pressure from hon. Members opposite to increase public expenditure, and give an undertaking that any increases suggested by Aubrey Jones or anyone else come within the 3½ per cent. of the prices and incomes policy?

Mr. Mason

I cannot give my hon. Friend the latter assurance, but as a spending Minister I am aware of the belly-aches about public spending.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

Does my right hon. Friend agree that hon. Members opposite are very active on behalf of the underpaid workers in nationalised industry, with a view to embarrassing us politically? Will he assure the House that he will consult his right hon. Friends with responsibility for the matter to make sure that we can also participate in this discussion?

Mr. Mason

I am sure that there will be a lot of participation before any new salary scales are agreed.

Sir J. Eden

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's own phrase about "first class" and "second class", does he regard the present chairmen of the nationalised power industries as being first-class? If so, why does not he pay them accordingly?

Mr. Mason

My chairmen are first rate.

9. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Power whether, in order to assist the National Board for Prices and Incomes in its current investigation of salaries in nationalised industries, he will make a Statement of his policy on ministerial control of these industries.

Mr. Mason

The Board is free to approach me for any information it requires.

Mr. Crouch

Does the Minister agree that in view of the recent fiasco in recruiting three new members to the National Coal Board, the time has come for him to give proper pay and conditions of works for such members?

Mr. Mason

I must refute absolutely that comment of the hon. Gentleman, both in a previous supplementary question and now. There was no fiasco. There was no difficulty, and we recruited on time.

Mr. Swain

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Chairman of the National Coal Board accepted a job and the attendant salary under a Tory Government, and made no complaints at the time? Is he aware that the miners feel that the National Coal Board Chairman is adequately paid in comparison with the wages of the lower-paid workers?

Mr. Mason

I am sure that the Chairman of the National Coal Board will take full cognisance of what my hon. Friend has said.