§ Mr. Higginsasked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he proposes to take to ensure that when a percentage increase for a particular grade of civil 11W servant results in an increase in the total pay bill which can only be accommodated within the relevant cash limit by deferring the date from which the increase is paid, the base from which any subsequent pay increase is calculated is not raised by the same percentage.
§ Mr. ChannonI note my right hon. Friend's views, but on reflection think that it must be right for pay negotiations to start from the basis of the current rate. As he will know, the Government are considering the best ways of improving the Civil Service pay system for the future.