§ Mr. Formanasked the Prime Minister what were the original terms of reference of the pay comparability commission.
§ The Prime MinisterWhen announcing the establishment of the Standing Commission on pay comparability on 7 March 1979, the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) described its purpose as being
296WTo examine the terms and conditions of emloyment of particular groups of workers referred to it by the Government in agreement with the employers and unions concerned, and to report in each case on the possibility of establishing acceptable bases of comparison, including comparisons with terms and conditions for other comparable work and of maintaining appropriate internal relativities ".for England for each year from 1966 onwards.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 24 April 1980, c.205]: Estimates of male and female activity rates in England for 1966, 1971, 1975 and 1977 are shown below. Estimates for other years are not available:
The commission is given specific terms of reference for each group of employees which the Government refer to it.