§ 78. Mr. Kimballasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) if the wage increases to which she gave clearance on 25th September to the cast stone and concrete industry of a 16 per cent. rise in basic pay were in line with Government policy;
(2) if she will refer the wage increases in the cast stone and concrete industry to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe settlement reached by the N.J.C. for the cast stone and cast concrete products industry was implemented from the first full pay period after 14th September. The new basic rate of 6s. per hour represented an increase of 2.8 per cent. on a per annum basis from the date of the last increase, 25W and so falls within the 3½ per cent. Ceiling. The overall effect on the wage bill of the industry was 2.6 per cent. I am satisfied that the settlement was justified under the incomes policy criteria, and that a reference to the N.B.P.I. was not warranted.