§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Employment on how many occasions he has issued guidance in connection with the Remuneration Charges and Grants Act to the effect that the limit of £8,500 applies when earnings are derived from more than one source; and which section of the Act gives force to that guidance.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerSection 1 of the Remuneration, Charges and Grants Act provides that any questions arising under that section as to whether remuneration exceeds the limits shall be determined by the Secretary of State. My predecessor made clear to the House on 23rd July 1975 that no one earning £8,500 a year or more should take an increase of any kind in the period of the current policy, and this guideline was published in my Department's "Employment News". Employers have been advised by my Department, on inquiry that the obligation to ensure compliance where earnings are derived from more than one source rests on the individual employee concerned. My Department receives over 2,000 pay policy inquiries by telephone or letter each week and it is not possible to identify the number of inquiries relating to any particular requirement of the policy.