§ Mr. Arthur LewisQ10 and Q19. asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he will have fresh discussions with those of the judiciary and higher paid civil servants who have voluntarily agreed to a six-month suspension of payment of their salary increases, asking if they will extend their moratorium for a further 12 months;
(2) whether he will make a further approach to the judges, higher paid civil servants, and the chairmen of the nationalised boards with the request that they forgo the further increase of 14 per cent. 123W in their salaries to complete the 66.2 per cent. as paid since 1966, in view of the facts that in April, 1971, they will have tax savings of £400 per annum on their existing salaries and £500 if the new awards are implemented, and that an extra £400 per annum tax-free additional income more than offsets the 2.2 per cent. increase in the cost of living since their last salary increase.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
No, since the 1971 salary levels were those considered appropriate by independent bodies in 1969 and take no account of subsequent movements in salary levels.