§ Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with representatives of management and unions in private sector industry on 213W the need to resist and avoid inflationary wage claims.
§ Mr. BryanMy right hon. Friend has had a number of discussions with representatives of the Confederation of British Industry, employers' organisations and large firms on the need to avoid inflationary settlements.
§ Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the public and private sector wage claims now in the pipeline and known to his Department.
§ Mr. BryanInformation is readily available only about major wage and salary claims affecting 20,000 or more workers. On this basis there are 21 outstanding claims affecting about 1.8 million workers in the public sector, the largest groups concerned being the railways, the Post Office and teachers. In the private sector there are 11 major claims affecting about 1.2 million workers; motor vehicle manufacture, clothing, textiles and agriculture and the retail trade are the main industries concerned.