HC Deb 08 November 1972 vol 845 cc1003-4
31. Mr. John D. Grant

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what effect the talks between the Government, the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry will have on Civil Service pay, in particular in respect of fair comparisons and incremental increases.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The standstill announced by the Prime Minister on 6th November and outlined in the White Paper (Cmnd. 5125) will apply to Civil Service pay as to other pay.

Mr. Grant

Does the Minister not recognise that civil servants are hit particularly hard by the freeze because they are always in the process of catching up, and are never the pace setters, because of the fair comparisons system? Does he not think that because this will justifiably cause special resentment among civil servants they should get some special treatment?

Mr. Baker

I do not agree. The Government, like previous Governments, have endorsed the principle of fair comparisons for Civil Service pay, but we have made it clear, as have previous Governments, that pay research must be subject to any requirement of overriding national policy.

Mr. Fell

What did my hon. Friend mean in his first reply? Did he mean that there is a freeze for 90 days or 110 days, or whatever it may be, and then perhaps for a further 60 days, and that as a result civil servants never will catch up?

Mr. Baker

The fact-finding processes of pay research will go on, but the implementation of any decisions resulting from them will have to accord to national policy. The Civil Service will be subject to the standstill, as will all other people receiving remuneration.

Mr. Sheldon

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the worry of a number of civil servants is that they are likely to be singled out for tighter control because they are under the direct influence of the Government? Can the Parliamentary Secretary take this opportunity to assure civil servants that they will not be unfairly treated as a result of the new legislation?

Mr. Baker

I should be pleased to do so. Both industrial and non-industrial civil servants will be treated in the same way as members of all other sectors of employment. There will be no dicrimination against them, or in their favour. They will be subject to the standstill.