§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what amount per head the overall wage bill for local government staff has been increased during the last 12 months by the implementation of incremental scales of pay during that period.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe appropriate local government negotiating bodies are responsible for the negotiation of pay settlements within the pay limit announced in the White Paper "The Attack on Inflation" (Cmnd. 6151). I understand those bodies are satisfied that the £6 a week increases negotiated for the groups of local government employees on incremental scales met the requirements of the policy on increments set out in the White Paper. It was for that reason that the negotiating bodies agreed no deduction should be made from the £6 a week increases.
§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that payments of salary increments in local government during the last 12 months have been in full compliance with the Government's requirement that such payments do not exceed the overall wage bill by more than £6 per head.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettMy right hon. Friend has discussed with representatives of the employers' sides of the various local government negotiating bodies the application of the pay limit announced in the White Paper "The Attack on Inflation"634W (Cmnd. 6151). However, local authorities are responsible with the trade unions through the appropriate negotiating bodies for ensuring that settlements are in accordance with the policy. I understand these bodies are satisfied the requirements of the policy on increments set out in the White Paper have been met.