§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the recent salary increases negotiated by Meteorological Office employees for their television appearances as weather forecasters conform with the prices and incomes policy; and whether he intends to refer the matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAn increase from £3 per appearance to £5 10s. per day in the allowance paid to Experimental Officers who broadcast weather forecasts on television was awarded by the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal. This follows an increase of nearly threefold in the number of broadcasts. There is no objection to the award on incomes policy grounds, so the question of referring it to the National Board for Prices and Incomes does not arise.