§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Labour if the Government are satisfied that the reports so far presented by the National Board for Prices and Incomes have enabled a definition of what level of earnings constitutes a lowest paid worker; what is that definition defined in weekly or hourly earnings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe Board has expressed the view that, for the purpose of settling pay, a particular figure in cash terms cannot be laid down to divide lowest-paid workers generally, from other workers. It has also drawn attention to the problems in relation to differentials of pay increases for lowest-paid workers. The Government agree that, while a broad consistency of approach is needed within the framework of the prices and incomes policy, individual cases need to be considered on their merits.