§ 1. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the increases made last year by company chairmen in their salaries of up to 50 per cent; and to what extent the Government's incomes policy now applies to them.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (Mr. Harold Walker)In its report on top salaries, the Board said that the salaries of individuals could be judged properly only in relation to the salary structures in which they are placed. My right hon. Friend is considering the reference to the Board of the salary structures of individual firms and will be consulting the C.B.I. and T.U.C. in due course. The income policy applies to all incomes.
§ Mr. JenkinsWill my hon. Friend comment on the claim of the C.B.I. that it 1548 is persuaded that this reference should be in general rather than particular terms? Will he refer particular cases of, for example, Mr. Hawkins of P. B. Cow and Co., Mr. Chapman of Group Lotus Car companies and the £40,000 to £45,000 increase for Sir Val Duncan of the Rio Tinto Zinc Corporation?
§ Mr. WalkerI have said that my right hon. Friend is considering reference to the Board of salary structures of individual firms, but it would be improper for me to comment on individual cases. As to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, consultations we have about references to the Board are, of course, in confidence, but the C.B.I. attitude was publicly declared at the time as one of general opposition to the references.