§ Mr. William Clarkasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will list the pay increases awarded since 16th December, 1964, in which the increase granted has exceeded 3½ per cent.
§ Mr. FoleyNo. There have been many increases in wages and salaries since last December and many of them have been above an annual rate of increase of 3½ per cent. What now matters is that everyone concerned should do their best to16W work within the framework of Command Paper No. 2639 published on 15th April.
§ Mr. William Clarkasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent the four criteria for exceptional pay increases set out in Command Paper No. 2639, paragraph 115, cover the pay increases recently awarded to pilots of British European Airways and to nurses.
§ Mr. FoleyThe claims in question were under negotiation some time before the publication of Command Paper No. 2639. In the case of the pilots of British European Airways it should be borne in mind that the increase of about 8 per cent. from last October, was their first pay increase for three years. It has generally been accepted that special circumstances made some revaluation of the nurses' salary scales on the lines of the agreement both fair and necessary. This does not lessen the need for those concerned with negotiations still current to do their best to keep within the framework of the Command Paper.