HC Deb 16 March 1967 vol 743 cc133-4W
27. Mr. John Lee

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many references of prices have been made to the National Board for Prices and Incomes since 20th July, 1966; and how many price increases have been withheld under the provisions of the Prices and Incomes Act.

Mr. Frederick Lee

Nine. Under a Section 26 Order, 76 increases in laundry and dry cleaning charges were temporarily withheld. Many other proposed price increases have been voluntarily withheld as a result of the early warning arrangements and discussion with Government Departments.

34. Sir J. Eden

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs which specialist, professional and consultancy services have been employed by the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and what was the particular terms of reference in each such instance.

Mr. Frederick Lee

I understand that accountancy services, management consultants, academic advisers, statistical and computer services have been used. It would not be practicable to detail the terms of reference: there have been many of them, and they are usually extensive.

Mr. Sheldon

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action the Government proposes to take on the National Board for Prices and Incomes' Report on the pay of manual workers in local authorities, the National Health Service and gas and water supply.

Mr. M. Stewart

This Report makes a large number of recommendations. The Government accept the recommendations relating to the pay during the period of severe restraint of County Council Road-men, Scottish Local Authority manual workers, National Health Service ancillary staffs, and the small groups of Local Authority manual workers not covered by the main agreement in England and Wales.

Many of the remaining recommendations are directed towards the improvement of pay and productivity in the longer term and the Government hope that the parties concerned will open discussions on these as soon as possible. The Government will also wish to examine with the parties concerned the possibility of introducing an interim pay and productivity scheme in the National Health Service and local authorities on the lines proposed by the Board.