§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he is aware that the recent agreement on London bus drivers' pay was freely and voluntarily entered into by both sides; and what discussions he held with either side about his intentions before holding up this wage award.
§ Mr. William RodgersNo agreement on the pay of London busmen has yet 635W been concluded. My hon. Friend will be aware that on 4th March, the Government referred the claim of the London busmen to the National Board for Prices and Incomes, together with those of busmen employed by municipal and company undertakings. The Board has been asked to examine these claims and the relationship between pay and conditions of busmen in the various sectors of the bus industry and to report as early as possible in May. As any settlement reached in the present negotiations on the pay of London busmen will not be implemented until the latter half of June of this year, this gives ample time for the Board to make its report before an agreement is finally concluded.