HC Deb 06 November 1969 vol 790 c1167
16. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she is satisfied with the recent salary increase for traffic wardens ; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Harold Walker

Yes. Traffic wardens benefited from the increase awarded from 1st August, 1969, to local authority administrative, professional, technical and clerical staff generally. In the Metropolitan Police District, additional grades were introduced at the same time, largely to relieve police officers of supervisory duties.

Mrs. Short

Does my hon. Friend consider that to raise traffic wardens' salaries to a maximum of £2,000 a year is socially justifiable, to use one of my right hon. Friend's phrases, when one considers, for example, the teachers' pay claim?

Mr. Walker

I remind my hon. Friend that this was a negotiated and agreed settlement within the National Joint Council covering these groups.

Mrs. Knight

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some people would consider it even more important to have more traffic crossing patrol wardens than traffic wardens? Is he doing anything about the shortage of crossing wardens in certain areas?

Mr. Walker

The hon. Lady may care to put that question to my right hon. Friend the Minister responsible for Transport.