§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated percentage increase in rates and earnings arising from the claim by staff at Glasgow Airport; how these rates and earnings compare with payments to similar employees at Manchester Airport and airports administered by the British Airports Authority, respectively; what productivity provisions are included in the claim; and if the claim is consistent with the Government's incomes policy.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI understand that a possible basis for a settlement has now been agreed, and information on the proposed increases is awaited. The original claim was for pay and conditions similar to those given by the British Airports Authority, which would have led, on average, to increases of about 11 per cent. in basic pay, and about 17 per cent. on earnings. If the pay and conditions at Manchester were applied at Glasgow, basic pay would increase by about 6½ per cent. and earnings by about 10 per cent. The Government were informed that the claim for British Airports Authority rates was based on comparability, and as such increases are limited by the ceiling to an annual rate of 3½ per cent., it was not consistent with incomes policy.