HC Deb 09 July 1974 vol 876 cc407-8W
18. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether it is now his intention to exercise his consent powers to authorise wage settlements held by the Pay Board to be in breach of the Pay Code in the case of 125,000 shop workers in the employ of the co-operative societies, employees of Racal Electronics, employees of English China Clay, 70 employees of Ayrshire Yarn Dyeing Limited, J. S. Sharpe Engineering Limited, six employees of Toolpower Engineering, and officials of the National Union of Mineworkers, respectively.

Mr. Foot

Should the Pay Board inform me that there are special difficulties surrounding wage settlements for the co-operative societies' shop workers employees of Racal Electronics and J. S. Sharpe Engineering Ltd., and officials of the National Union of Mineworkers, then I will be prepared to consider whether a consent is justified.

Having given careful consideration to the circumstances surrounding the pay increases restricted by Pay Board orders placed on Toolpower Engineering Ltd. and Ayrshire Yarn Dyeing Co. Ltd., I decided that these were insufficiently exceptional to warrant consents.

A consent has been given in the case of English China Clays.