§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware of the practice being adopted by the BBC and independent television to increase salaries of their news reporters and others on a comparability basis; whether this falls within the Government's wage policy; and whether workers in industry will be able to use the same basis to increase their salaries.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am not aware of any such practices. Increases on the basis of comparability would not be consistent with the pay guidelines unless they result from awards by the Central Arbitration Committee in relation to claims under Schedule 11 to the Employment Protection Act or the Fair Wages Resolution.