HC Deb 15 February 1979 vol 962 cc599-600W
30. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the present level of wage settlements.

Mr. Healey

No. There have been a number of settlements outside the Government's pay guidelines which bring the average since the pay round began to around 10 per cent. This includes the effect of self-financing productivity deals and other exceptions to the 5 per cent. limit which are authorised by the Government's guidelines.

37. Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now give his strategy in the event of average wage settlements reaching 12 per cent, during the course of the phase 4 wage round.

Mr. Healey

I have made clear that in the event of average wage settlements being significantly outside the guidelines I shall have to take the fiscal and monetary measures necessary to offset their inflationary impact.