HC Deb 24 February 1969 vol 778 cc1068-9
39. Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what progress her Department has made in evaluating the general criteria by which white collar productivity is to be measured; and if she will discuss such proposed criteria with the Trades Union Congress before submitting to the National Board for Prices and Incomes any claims for salary increases by white collar employees.

Mr. Harold Walker

My right hon. Friend has asked the National Board for Prices and Incomes to carry out a second inquiry into productivity bargaining with special reference to the application of productivity measurement and productivity agreements to clerical and other non-manual work. I think it would be desirable to await the Board's report before taking a final view on the matters raised by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Macdonald

In view of the admitted difficult of measuring the productivity of many white collar workers, would it not be desirable for my right hon. Friend to make a statement on this topic at an early date, so that white collar workers can know precisely where they stand in relation to the prices and incomes policy?

Mr. Walker

I referred to the Board's report on the pay of gas staffs on 20th January, when I drew attention to the fact that the Board suggested that the approach to the question of white collar productivity put forward in its Report was potentially of wide significance. I would not want to go further than that today in anticipating the Board's report on its considerations.

Mr. Biffen

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that the chairmen of nationalised industries come within the designation "white collar workers"? Could he further say that, when the Prices and Incomes Board's report on the pay of senior executives is received, special indication will be given of how the House and the country will be able to measure the productivity of these people?

Mr. Walker

We had better await the report, I think.

Mr. Tomney

Would my hon. Friend give an indication regarding the Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levying Board? Does he qualify as a white collar worker? He has had a 50 per cent. increase in 12 months. How was that decision arrived at?

Mr. Walker

On white collar workers, how he comes to justify—[Interruption.] If my hon. Friend will write to me about this, I will consider the matter. I was not aware of it up to now.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as early as possible.