§ 35. Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the basic take-home pay of a skilled labourer in Chatham Dockyard; and what was the average take-home pay for such workmen and the average amount of overtime worked in the four weeks commencing Monday, 5th January, 1970.
§ Dr. David OwenTake-home pay varies considerably according to circumstances; average gross earnings of skilled 409 labourers in the first four weeks in 1970 were £22 1s. 8d. including overtime of 8⅔ hours.
§ Mr. BurdenIs it not a fact that the basic pay of a skilled worker is about £14 a week and the average take-home pay £12 a week? Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that it is now time to look at increases for the lower-paid workers in the dockyards, many of whom are living very close to the breadline, whatever the Government may now say?
§ Dr. OwenThe basic rates fall within the range of £14 12s. to £19 2s. As the hon. Member knows, the last increase to Government industrial employees effective from 1st July, 1969, was regarded as an interim one, and the industrial wage structure is currently being considered by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ 36. Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the basic take-home pay of an unskilled labourer in Chatham Dockyard; and what was the average take-home pay and the average amount of overtime worked in the four weeks commencing 5th January, 1970.
§ Dr. David OwenTake-home pay varies considerably; average gross earnings of labourers in the first four weeks in 1970 were £17 5s. 4d. and the average amount of overtime worked was nearly four hours.
§ Mr. BurdenThe Minister has admitted, by saying that the increases last July were interim increases, that there is need for a further increase. Will he now say when positive proposals will be made about the ultimate amount of increase, taking into consideration what is merely an interim increase at this stage?
§ Dr. OwenWe are awaiting recommendations by the National Board for Prices and Incomes. In the meantime, on a quite separate stage we are processing the productivity agreement, which, of course, could result in a substantial rise to all dockyard industrial staff. I am well aware of the fact that basic rates are considered to be low in some quarters, and I would certainly look as sympathetically as I can on any reasonable recommendations from the National Board for Prices and Incomes.