HC Deb 15 November 1983 vol 48 cc419-20W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many objections have been lodged in Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years under the fair wages resolution.

Mr. Butler

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the fair wages resolution of the former Northern Ireland House of Commons of 11 February 1947.

The numbers of claims received by the Department of Economic Development, formerly the Department of Manpower Services, are as follows:

Year Claims Received
1973
1974
1975
1976 1
1977 1
1978 6
1979 2
1980
1981 1
1982
1983 2

Rev, Ian Paisley

asked the secretary of state for Northern Ireland how many objections lodged under the fair wages resolution in Norhtern Ireland in each of the past 10 years have gone to arbitration; and in how many cases the objections have been upheld.

Mr. Butler

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the fair wages resolution of the former Northern Ireland House of Commons of 11 February 1947. The numbers of claims received by the Department of Economic Development, formerly the department of Manpower Services, and upheld by the Industrial Court (Northern Ireland) are as follows:

Year Claims Received Claims Upheld
*1977 1 2
1978 6

Year Claims Received Claims Upheld
1979 2
1980
1981 1
1982
1983 2
* One of the claims upheld in 1977 was in respect of a claim received by the Department of Manpower Services in 1976.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many workers have been affected by arbitration decisions in Northern Ireland relating to fair wages resolution objections in each of the past 10 years.

Mr. Butler

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the fair wages resolution of the former Northern Ireland House of Commons of 11 February 1947.

The numbers of workers affected by decisions of the Industrial Court (Northern Ireland) are as follows:

Year Number of Workers
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977 20
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
*1983
* To date.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the average wage settlement arrived at after arbitration in objections under the fair wages resolution.

Mr. Butler

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the fair wages resolution of the former Northern Ireland House of Commons of 11 February 1947. In one of the two claims upheld by the Industrial Court (Northern Ireland) in 1977, it is estimated that the average basic gross weekly wage for 12 machine operatives was increased from £59.37 to £67.97 and for four shift supervisors from £69.01 to £75.42. In the other case, only the basic pay for one individual was specified. This involved his basic salary being increased from £60 per week to £80 per week, together with improved terms and conditions of employment.