§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the Ceramic and Allied Trades Union about the operation of the Pay Code; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerAt their request I met representatives of both sides of the National Joint Council for the Ceramic Industry on 21st October, and discussed with them the application of the pay guidelines in relation to the timing of their next annual settlement.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment on what criteria he bases his interpretation of the Pay Code in any discussions with trade unions.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerInterpretation of the pay policy is based on the provisions of the White Paper "The Attack on Inflation" (Cmnd. 6151) and "The Attack on Inflation: The Second Year " (Cmnd. 6507).
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Pay Code has been observed in all settlements since it was established.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerAs has been previously explained, my Department maintains comprehensive monitoring only of major settlements. All of these have been entirely in conformity with the policy and I have every reason to think714W that the TUC guidelines have been generally observed.