§ 6. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will take into account the National Board for Prices and Incomes' Report No. 44 on London weighting when considering wage settlements in London and the South-East.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe report was concerned primarily with London weighting in the non-industrial civil service. The N.B.P.I. considered that the principles set out in the report should apply to comparable employment. My right hon. Friend will, naturally, take the report into account in cases where it is relevant.
§ 44. Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many income settlements have been referred to her Department since the announcement of the latest phase of the Government's income policy; how many settlements were for increases at an annual rate below 2½, per cent., how many from 2½ to 4 per cent., how many over 4 per cent.; and what estimate has been made of the settlements of which she has received no notification.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThirty major settlements involving 10,000 or more workers have been notified. Of these five were for increases of 2½ to 4 per cent. per annum and 25 are estimated to be above 4 per cent. per annum. Two of the settlements above 4 per cent. were within the range of 2½ per cent. to 4½ per cent. per annum laid down in the current White Paper. I cannot estimate the size of settlements which have not been notified.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity in how many instances she has so far approved wage settlements in the public sector in excess of the Government's current norm during 1970; and if she will state the reasons in each case.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerEighteen settlements have been made in the public sector in 1970 in excess of the current range. The reasons have included low pay, productivity agreements, recruitment difficulties, re-organisation of pay structures 371W and comparison with similar jobs in the private sector.