asked the Minister for Energy what is expected to be the percentage addition to their total wages bill as a result of the recent power workers' settlement.

It is estimated that the recent settlement reached in the National Joint Board (Electricity Supply Industry) which provides for staged increases in payments for out-of-hours working will, when fully implemented in February 1974, add between 1½ per cent. and 2 per cent. to the salary bill of the staff concerned.