§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide details of the recent pay award, including the effect on basic rates, proposed by the Retail Bookselling and Stationery Wages Council, and the reasoning given by the council for recommending this award.
§ Mr. John GrantThis council proposed an increase of £7.50 per week for all adult workers. For a sales assistant in provincial Area "A"—large towns outside London—the proposed weekly remuneration is £42.50, an increase of 21.4 per cent. No reasoning was given.
§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Employment if the recent increase in basic rates proposed by the Retail Bookselling and Stationery Trades Wages Council falls within the Government's pay policy.
§ Mr. John GrantYes, apart from a very small breach in respect of a small group of managers.