HC Deb 27 January 1976 vol 904 cc113-4W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how the £6 pay limit affects employees whose earnings are based upon commission payments governed by a scheme which was in existence before the introduction of the present pay policy.

Mr. Booth

Schemes for payment of commission which were established before 11th July 1975 may continue to operate under the present policy. The only restriction applies to those earning £8,500 a year or more who should not receive any increase in the coming year as a result of commission earnings or anything else.

Scotland England
Average numbers unemployed Percentage Average numbers unemployed Percentage
1949 59,775 2.9 204,832 1.2
1950 62,092 2.9 209,859 1.2
1951 50,628 2.4 162,317 0.9
1952 62,580 3.0 241,475 1.4
1953 60,837 2.9 234,272 1.3
1954 56,486 2.6 193,036 1.1
1955 48,414 2.3 147,899 0.8
1956 47,778 2.2 163,632 0.9
1957 53,213 2.5 217,924 1.2
1958 74,443 3.5 302,419 1.6

parable figures for each year from 1971 to 1975, inclusive.

Mr. John Fraser

Following is the information available:

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements should be made for commission earning employees whose pay last year exceeded £8,500; and whether their employers are obliged to stop paying them altogether as soon as their earnings reach this figure.

Mr. Booth

The present pay policy states that no one earning £8,500 or more should take an increase of any kind in the coming year. It follows that for people at these levels the current year's earnings, including commission payments, should not exceed last year's earnings. It is for the parties concerned to negotiate appropriate arrangements to meet the requirements of the policy.