§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage estimated increase in hourly earnings and rates arising from the recent salary settlement of Fleet Street journalists; in what way was the settlement related to the claims of lower paid workers or of increased productivity; what representations were received from the Trades Union Congress Vetting Committee on his claim; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GunterThe settlement raised the agreed minimum rates for qualified journalists in national newspapers fixed in April, 1964. In London the minimum rate was raised from £26 10s. a week to £30 a week, an increase of 13 per cent. and in Manchester, from £25 10s. to £29 a week, an increase of 14 per cent. In response to the Government's Prices and Incomes 549W Policy, the parties agreed that a salary increase should not be given to all journalists but limited to (1) those who were currently earning less than the new minimum rates—estimated as 400 out of 3,200 employed—whose weekly earnings would be brought up to that level and (2) a relatively few individuals who had not had an increase since April, 1964, whose salaries would be reviewed. The settlement was not related to the claims of low paid workers or to increased productivity. On the assurance of the parties that the increases would be limited to a small minority of journalists, they were informed that no action would be taken to prevent the settlement from taking effect from 1st July, 1967. My Ministry received no representations from the T.U.C. Vetting Committee.