§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will further elucidate his statement on Saturday 19th November that the proposed pay increase of 10 per cent. to firemen was really 16 per cent. when taking account of tax cuts, since firemen do not pay tax due to their low incomes.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI refer my hon. Friend to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 26th October —[Vol. 936, col. 1443.] My remarks on 311W 19th November were made in the general context of the need to hold all pay increases within the 10 per cent. limit and for those responsible for pay negotiations when reaching settlements to give full weight to the tax reliefs provided this year by the Chancellor.