§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the increase in rates and earnings which will arise from the recent settlement concluded by the British Steel Corporation for 3,000 labourers and craftsmen's labourers; and what productivity conditions were attached to the settlement.
§ Mr. FreesonThis settlement arises out of an offer by the British Steel Corporation to unions representing workers employed under heavy steel conditions of an increase in the national minimum rate for a 40 hour week from £12 to £13 1s. 6d., with increases on a reducing scale for those at present earning up to £13 15s. per week; 22,500 men in all are affected. Their average earnings are not expected to rise by more than four per cent.; this represents an annual increase of 2.2 per cent. since their last general wage increase.
The Government accepted this settlement as the first stage in a reorganisation of the wages structure in the industry, designed to increase efficiency and productivity.