HC Deb 06 July 1973 vol 859 cc219-20W
Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a copy of the report of the joint negotiating committee for salary provisions for chief officers; if he has made any recommendations thereon; and what steps to ensure uniformity of interpretation he is taking.

Mr. Graham Page

I have seen a copy of the report but I have no power to intervene in these matters. It will be for the Pay Board to decide whether the agreement complies with the code. The agreement provides for the joint negotiating committee itself to monitor implementation.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular advising local authorities to delay any decisions on the joint negotiating committee for chief officers of local authorities salary provisions for chief officers until the conclusion of the talks on phase 3.

Mr. Graham Page

No. I am glad to see that the new local authorities are now appointing their chief officers. In doing so they need to indicate the salaries they propose to pay.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the overall percentage increase in the pro- posed salary provisions for chief officers of local authorities as recommended by the joint negotiating committee compared with existing salaries.

Mr. Graham Page

The settlement recommends salary scales for new posts with new authorities, and I understand that these scales have been negotiated on the basis of overall equivalence to the salaries now being paid by existing authorities for comparable work.