§ Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what the total of increases in wages resulting from negotiations or disputes during the financial year or other suitable annual period represented as a percentage of the total wage bill, and how the actual total increase percentage exceeded an average overall of three or four or such other per- 298W centage as was laid down as the norm for the year.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerInformation about the proportion of the total wage and salary bill arising from negotiations or disputes is not available. The actual percentage increase in the wage and salary bill in 1969 as compared with 1968 was just under 7½ per cent. This compares with the ceiling of 3½ per cent. a year for pay increases stipulated by the Government's incomes policy during 1968 and 1969. Increases in pay linked to increases to productivity were, however, allowed to exceed 3½ per cent.