§ 49. Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning the state of negotiations on the water industry manual workers' pay claim.
§ Mr. KingThe Government are not a party to these negotiations. But I understand that the National Joint Industrial Council for the Water Service met on 28 January, when a revised pay offer was made by the employers; and that negotiations will be resumed on 1 February.
§ 68. Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the regional water authorities in view of the current pay dispute in the water industry.
§ Mr. KingI have received reports on the pay negotiations for manual employees of water authorities during the course of my meetings with the chairmen on 26 November and on 11 December 1979. The Government are not a party to these pay negotiations, which I understand will be resumed on 1 February.