§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration was given to offering higher percentage salary increases to lower-paid National Health Service staff and lower percentage increases to higher-paid staff.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 30 July 1982, c.842–3]: The Government have decided the overall level of funds available for pay increases for each Whitley Council staff group. The pay offers to individual grades are entirely a matter for negotiations within the Whitley councils. It has always been open to the staff sides to seek higher increases for lower paid staff if they had ever agreed to resume negotiations within the Whitley councils.