§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated percentage increase in rates, earnings and productivity deriving from the recent settlement concerning pottery workers; what period elapsed between notification and approval of the claim; and what was the estimated percentage increase in productivity of these workers in the calendar years 1967 and 1968.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Department was notified of a settlement on 10th April, to be effective from 1st July. Discussions with the parties were held during the course of the next two months and approval for implementation of revised proposals was given on 13th June. These proposals have not yet been formally agreed between the parties. It has been estimated that in 1968 output per employee in the pottery industry increased by more than 8 per cent. The corresponding figure for 1967 was about 5½ per cent.