§ 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 joiners now on strike at Lithgows; on what date the last pay increase was implemented; by what percentage it increased rates and earnings; and if it was consistent with the Government's prices and incomes policy.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe present claim is for an increase in basic rates of 17.5 per cent. and at this stage it is not possible to estimate the effect on earnings. The last increase was implemented in November, 1967, at the time of the merger of the joinery departments of the Scott and Lithgow group and resulted in rate increases ranging from 2.5 to 10.5 per cent. The increase in total earnings was 6.1 per cent. This was part of a productivity arrangement which I am satisfied was consistent with the Government's prices and incomes policy set out in the then current White Paper "Prices and Incomes Policy after 30th June, 1967" (Cmnd. 3235).