§ 57. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether the 1982–83 cash limits on Civil Service wages will be drawn to match the 4 per cent. pay norm in the public sector.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe 4 per cent. pay factor is not a norm. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 15 September, it is a broad measure of what the Government think reasonable and can be afforded as a general allowance for increases in pay at this stage of fixing the programme from which the public service wage bill has to be met. Some pay increases in the public services may be less, and some may be more. No decisions have yet been taken on the cash limits for specific groups of staff.