§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated increase in earnings and rates arising from the current claim of tally clerks involved in the industrial dispute at the London Royal group of docks.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe current claim submitted by the unions last March on behalf of all ship's clerks in the Port of London (formerly known as tally clerks), is for an increase in the weekly rate from £21 1s. 8d. to £29 10s. 0d., in return for increased productivity. This would represent an increase in rates of nearly 40 per cent. and the employers estimate that the effect on earnings would be of the same order. Negotiations on this claim, including the possibility of an interim settlement, are continuing.