§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Prime Minister if his statement that there is free collective bargaining now means that there are now no restraints placed by the Government upon the level of wage settlements between independent employers and their employees.
§ The Prime MinisterSince 1st August last those engaged in collective wage bargaining have been free to negotiate settlements structured in whatever way best suits their particular circumstances. We have made it clear that, in the interests of reducing the rate of inflation and keeping it down, the effect on earnings of a wage settlement, whatever its structure, should not exceed 10 per cent.