HC Deb 02 February 1967 vol 740 cc159-60W
Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now allow the pay increase to members of the national and local government officers in Scotland on 16th March, in view of the fact that the increase in England and Wales on 1st February has been accepted; and if he will make a statement.

Sir J. Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that no hardship will be caused to the staff of Scottish local authorities by the decision that, in spite of the fact that the National Joint Industrial Council agreed to a reconstitution of its salary structure on 13th September, 1966, and that a similar agreement entered into in England on 7th July, 1966, is to take effect as from 1st February, 1967, no increase is to be allowed in Scotland until after 1st July, 1967 and that the amount is still to be determined under a policy still to be decided upon for the period after that date; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ross

In relation to the salaries of administrative, professional and clerical staffs employed in local government in Scotland, unlike those employed in England and Wales, no agreement had been reached between employers and employees before the standstill period began on 20th July, 1966. It has been customary for Scottish local authority pay changes to take effect some time after those in England and Wales. Under the policy set out in the White Paper on the Period of Severe Restraint, there can be no increase in pay for the Scottish staff until 1st July, 1967 at the earliest.