HL Deb 20 December 1976 vol 378 c1174WA
Lord BEAUMONT

of WHITLEY asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made since I 11th December 1975 in their review of the alleged need for confidentiality with regard to the comparability studies of the Pay Research Unit.

Lord PEART

As was explained to the noble Lord on 20th May, the matter is under active consideration. The parties who contribute material for the comparability studies do so on the understanding that it remains confidential. Any changes would therefore have to be fully acceptable to those parties if the system is to continue.

The possibility of changes in the arrangements is of course directly affected by the continued suspension of the pay research system under the counter-inflation policy. Any changes would have to be the subject of full consultations with the National Staff Side and other interested parties.