§ Mr. Hollisasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the minimum hourly rate paid by his Department to skilled civilian aircraft mechanics; and why this rate is lower than that paid by the nationalised air corporations for similar employees.
Mr. WardThe present minimum basic rate for engineering fitters in Air Ministry establishments in Great Britain and Northern Ireland (excluding South Wales) is 150s. 4d. in London and 147s. 10d. in the provinces for a five-day week of 44 hours. These rates are those agreed with the trade unions on the Engineering Trades Joint Council for Government208W industrial establishments and are applicable to all Departments represented on that Council. The nationalised air corporations have their own negotiating machinery. In South Wales, the Government rate is 167s. 9d., paid by agreement with the Amalgamated Engineering Union.