§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state whether or not the settlement for an increase of just less than 6 per cent. for draughtsmen employed by Swan Hunter with effect from 1st July was consistent with the prices and incomes policy for the period of extreme moderation after 30th June.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe wage settlement for draughtsmen employed by Swan Hunter Ltd. was considered to fall within the provisions of paragraph 25 of the White Paper "Prices and Incomes Policy after 30th June, 1967" (Cmnd. 3235).
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated increase in rates and earnings arising from the recent settlement between the Pressed Steel Company and the Draughtsmen and Allied Technicians' Associations; from what date the settlement will apply; and if the settlement is consistent with the Government's incomes policy in respect of either lower-paid workers or productivity.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe settlement provides for a 6 per cent. general increase in salaries of draughtsmen employed at Pressed Steel Fisher factories at Swindon, Castle Bromwich and Cowley. An agreement introducing job grading at Castle Bromwich will give a further 4.7 per cent.172W increase at that factory while a revision of merit payments at Swindon has led to an additional increase of 1.03 per cent.
The general increase and the new grading scheme apply from 1st August, while the revised merit awards were paid from 1st October. My Department is examining the agreement in the light of the requirements of the productivity prices and incomes policy.