§ Q5. Mr. Ashleyasked the Prime Minister if, in view of recent wage settlements and price increases, he will now assume responsibility for the execution of Government policies on prices and incomes.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11th May to a Question from the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton)—[Vol. 817, c. 201–2.]
§ Mr. AshleySince injustice is being done and being seen to be done as a result of the Government's unfair wages policy, will the Prime Minister invite the leader of the Union of Post Office Workers to the July meeting of the N.E.D.C., so that he can explain the urgent need for a fair incomes policy which does not discriminate against the public sector?
§ The Prime MinisterThe membership of the N.E.D.C. is settled, and it is not the custom, as I understand it, for other parties to be invited to its meetings, which are confidential. As for the Post Office settlement, that was the recommendation of the independent committee of settlement to which the parties to the dispute made nominations.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisWill the Prime Minister explain why it is that all members of the Government continue to attack what they call high wage awards, and yet, on the Order Paper today, there is evidence of one person getting an extra £73 a week on £10,000 a year, and another getting an extra £100 a week on £25,000 a year, and not one Minister, including the Prime Minister, has ever condemned any of these astronomical increases paid to people who are in receipt of £20,000 and £30,000 a year? Will the right hon. Gentleman make one condemnation of these very high increases to the very well paid?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have always said that inflationary wage increases are the cause of price increases. There can be no doubt about that. However, if the hon. Gentleman wants an egalitarian system, that is not a principle which we can accept. As for Her Majesty's Ministers, there has not been a change in their remuneration.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisSpeak to the G.L.C.