HC Deb 15 December 1969 vol 793 c238W
85. Mr. Higgins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what she estimates the rise in unit costs was between January and December, 1968, calculated by the same method used to produce the figure for March—December, 1968, on page 7 of the White Paper, Command Paper No. 4237; and why the White Paper refers to an annual vote based on the March—December figures rather than the annual figure itself.

Mr. Dell

It is almost the same at 2 per cent. The recent White Paper refers to the annual rate of increase between March and December, 1968, because the White Paper on productivity, prices and incomes policy in 1968 and 1969 dates from March, 1968.

86. Mr. Higgins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether the figures of 6 and 8½ per cent. quoted in paragraph 9 of Command Paper No. 4237 refer to increases in wage rates or earnings; and whether these figures are for local or national settlements.

Mr. Dell

The figures relate to wage and salary rates and cover only national settlements.