HC Deb 17 May 1982 vol 24 cc21-2W
Mr. Craigen

asked the Prime Minister if she will review the 4 per cent. ceiling on pay increases to the public sector so as to enable settlements to be arrived at for public servants receiving lower levels of pay which fully reflect the levels of increase announced for the top paid.

The Prime Minister

We do not propose any general alteration in public expenditure provision for pay in the current year. Special considerations apply to the level of pay for the groups covered by the Top Salaries Review Body, which had been held to below the levels judged appropriate in 1980. To continue holding down their pay

would have carried unacceptable risks of long-terra damage to the Government's ability to attract and retain individuals of high calibre.