HC Deb 26 May 1977 vol 932 cc583-6W
Mr. Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the groups of public sector employees in whose pay settlements his Department is involved; whether these settlements are at national or local level; which of these settlements are usually influenced by the findings of the Pay Research Unit, and how; and what was the percentage increase in the earnings of each group in 1974, 1975 and 1976.

Mr. Harold Walker

My right hon. Friend is required to approve pay settlements made in respect of employees of the following public sector bodies: industry training boards; community industry; Remploy Ltd. Such settlements are at national level but are not influenced by findings of the Pay Research Unit.

The information concerning percentage increases in the earnings of each group in 1974, 1975 and 1976 could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost but the increases were in conformity with the incomes policy then obtaining.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many wage settlements in the public sector during phase 1 included deductions from increments to take account of "incremental drift".

Mr. Harold Walker

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th May 1977; Vol. 923, c. 385–6], gave the following information:

Among the main groups in the public sector there was one instance of a deduction from increments and two of a deduction from the permissible pay supplement to take account of "incremental drift".

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what increases in pay under phase 2 of the incomes policy have been made to management grades in British Steel, British Railways, the Post Office, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Manpower Services Commission, ACAS and the National Coal Board; in how many of these grades increments are an inherent part of the wages structure; in how many of these grades the maximum permitted cash supplement was paid; and in how many of the last mentioned a deduction was made for "incremental drift".

Mr. Harold Walker,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th May 1977; Vol. 923, c. 385–6], gave the following information:

Increments are an inherent part of the pay structure in nearly all the management grades mentioned. Those so far covered by settlements made in year two of the policy have received the maximum permissible supplements except in the NCB where there were deductions for "incremental drift".

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many cases during phase 2 a deduction from employees' wages has been made to take account of "incremental drift".

Mr. Harold Walker

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th May 1977; Vol. 932, c. 385–6], gave the following information:

Among the main groups in the public sector six settlements have included a deduction to take account of "incremental drift". Comprehensive information about the private sector is not available.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many wage settlements there have been in the public sector in the period of phase 2 of the incomes policy; if he will list those in which the settlement in phase 2 differed in principle from settlements in phase 1: and if he will list the settlements where deductions were made from increments to take account of "incremental drift".

Mr. Harold Walker

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th May 1977; Vol. 932, c. 385–6], gave the following information:

Among the main groups in the public sector 121 settlements are known to have been made by the end of April. The application of the policy in particular circumstances has in general been the same as in the previous period. One settlement included a deduction from increments and five a deduction from the permissible pay supplement to take account of "incremental drift". These were:

Deduction from increments:

National Coal Board Clerical Staff

Deduction from supplements:

Further Education Teachers (England and Wales)

Teachers (England and Wales)

Local Authority Education Advisers and Psychologists

Local Authority Youth Leaders and Community Centre Wardens

National Coal Board Managerial Staff.

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