HC Deb 24 June 1974 vol 875 cc980-1
36. Mr. Blaker

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is now able to state the results of negotiations between his Department and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants on the pay of Government scientists.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

I am pleased to announce that agreement has now been reached with the IPCS on a settlement of the immediate pay issue. This gives increases to Government scientists of about 10.8 per cent. per annum since the last full settlement on 1st January 1971. For the convenience of hon. Members I will put details of revised pay scales in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Blaker

Is the Minister aware that the House will welcome the fact that an agreement has been reached and will want to study carefully the figures to which he has referred? Has it been necessary for the Secretary of State for Employment to exercise his consent powers under existing procedures in relation to this agreement? May we have an assurance that the Minister's Department will now press forward urgently in studying the long-term issues?

Mr. Sheldon

The consent necessary before the actual agreement was given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. Regarding the long-term settlement, the House will know that a review is in progress. It is hoped that this will settle the long-term issues in the next year or two.

Dr. John A. Cunningham

Does the Minister recognise the campaign of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants for parity at every level? It is certainly important in terms of morale of scientists in Government employment that they should be seen to be worth at least as much as their colleagues in other branches of the profession.

Grade Minimum £ per annum Maximum £ per annum
Assistant Scientific Officer … … … … … … 887 (age 16) 1,899
Scientific Officer … … … … … … 1,592 2,675
Higher Scientific Officer … … … … … … 2,461 3,371
Senior Scientific Officer … … … … … … 3,157 4,441
Principal Scientific Officer … … … … … … 4,227 5,550

The rates quoted are subject to the addition where appropriate of £228 per annum Inner London weighting and £110 per annum for Outer London weighting.