HC Deb 19 March 1968 vol 761 cc72-3W
84. Mr. R. Carr

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of proposed wage settlements submitted to his Department for vetting under the terms of the incomes policy in each quarter of 1967 and in the first two months of 1968.

Mr. Hattersley

The following numbers of major settlements involving more than 10,000 wage earners were notified to my Department in the periods in question:

First Quarter, 1967 30
Second Quarter, 1967 13
Third Quarter, 1967 25
Fourth Quarter, 1967 30
First two months, 1968 10

Information about the number of smaller settlements notified is not readily available.

85. Mr. R. Carr

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of his Department's staff currently engaged in vetting proposed wage settlements; what was the number so engaged at the same date 12 months ago; and what increase in the number is expected to take place during the current year.

Mr. Hattersley

At the present time 20 of my Department's staff are engaged full time on vetting proposed wage settlements and a larger number spend part of their time on it. The corresponding number of full time staff a year ago was 14. It is not possible to forecast what changes, if any, there will be during the current year.