§ Mr. Trotterasked the Minister for the Civil Service what is his estimate of the cost to public funds in a year if the agreed maximum of an extra £6 a week is paid in full to all those in Government service not already earning more than £8,500.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe cost in the Home Civil Service, for which I am responsible, of an extra £6 a week to staff currently earning £8,500 or less a year would be approximately £215 million.
Household Income Group Subsidies Lowest 20% Next 20% Middle 20% Next 20% Top 20% Total For concessionary bus fares for pensioners, and others 57 19 6 9 9 100 For general subsidies to bus fares 10 18 21 24 27 100 As to railways, the worst off make little use of them, and so obtain little benefit from railway subsidies.
There is insufficient information on which to base a reliable breakdown of the subsidies between the remaining income groups.
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§ Mr. Trotterasked the Minister for the Civil Service in what circumstances the Government will be prepared to grant the agreed maximum of an extra £6 a week to those in the public service, not already earning more than £8,500.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisFor most groups pay rates are determined by negotiation, and I cannot anticipate the outcome of the next round of negotiations. Nor can I anticipate the recommendations of the established review bodies in respect of the groups within their remit.