§ 76. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of levels of earnings and of overtime worked following strikes; and what estimate he has made of the net effect on remuneration of strikers when supplementary benefits and earnings in post-strike periods are taken into account.
§ Mr. BryanMy Department publishes estimates of changes in rates of pay and earnings levels which reflect the impact of collective agreements. These statistics do not distinguish separately the changes which follow strike action from those which are agreed without recourse to strike action. The net effect of strikes on 161W the income of strikers varies enormously from family to family, and from strike to strike; and I do not consider that any general estimate would be practicable or useful.
§ 77. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the payment of overtime rates after a strike until such time as is equivalent to the lost working hours has been made up.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithNo. This would not be practicable.