§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what study he has made 32W of the pay increases for 9,000 provincial journalists proposed by the Newspaper Society of between £2.50 and £3.50 per week; what numbers would be adversely affected by the application of paragraph 26 of Cmnd. Paper No. 5205; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThe pay increase represents one step in a staged agreement reached before 6th November 1972, due for payment during the standstill. As such it will become payable in full at the end of the standstill, and no question of applying paragraph 26 of Cmnd. 5205 arises.