HC Deb 04 April 1973 vol 854 cc106-7W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total cost to the British Gas Corporation of the recent wage settlement, including the cost of all fringe benefits and the postponement of redundancies; and if he will express this total cost as a percentage of the existing cost of employment by the corporation.

Mr. Tom Boardman

I have been asked to reply.

Following resumed negotiations in the light of the result of the gasworkers' ballot, proposals for a settlement have now been put to the Pay Board. It would be premature to seek to cost these until a firm settlement has been reached, but I have asked the Chairman of the British Gas Corporation to write to my hon. Friend when this information is available.