§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has seen representatives of the Plumbing Joint Industry Board; and, if so, whether the terms of the wages agreement arrived at by the Joint Industry Board, which took effect on 3rd October 1977, are within the guidelines for pay settlements laid down by the Government.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI met representatives of the Joint Industry Board on 14th December 1977. I have informed the Secretary of the Joint Industry Board that the agreement effective from 3rd October 1977 is incompatible with the Government's approach to pay determination. I have asked that it be renegotiated, and that in the meantime the settlement should not be implemented. I am having a further meeting with representatives of the JIB on 15th January.