Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have agreed to pay chief officers salaries above the nationally negotiated rate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SilkinThis information is not available. It is of the utmost importance that these and other local government salaries should conform to nationally negotiated and agreed rates of pay. If, exceptionally, an authority considers it necessary to depart from the terms of the national agreements, it should, in the first place seek the advice of the Local Authorities' Conditions of Service Advisory Board.