§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Labour on what date he was notified of the proposed pay increase for exhibition workers; if he is satisfied that the settlement is consistent with the criteria for severe restraint; if he proposes to refer the settlement to the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GunterThe Joint Secretaries for the National Joint Council for the Exhibition Industry notified my Department on 7th February of their decision to defer the payment of a 1½d. per hour increase, originally due in February under a long term cost-of-living sliding scale agreement, until 3rd July in accordance with paragraph 35 of Cmnd. 3150.
The National Joint Council further advised my Department on 20th March of their decision to increase hourly rates by 2½d. for craftsmen and 1½d. for labourers with effect from the first full pay week 338W in July 1967. As this is a new agreement the Joint Council have been asked to show how the increases can be justified against the criteria in the new White Paper (Cmnd. 3235).