Pay Settlements

Mr. Bulmer
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the previous occasions on which he issued a formal statement condemning any pay settlement reached since the abolition of statutory controls on pay.

Mr. Booth
I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member  for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) on 16th January, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 884, c. 154.]

Mr. Bulmer
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria he uses to decide whether to issue a formal statement condemning any pay settlement as being in breach of the social contract pay guidelines.

Mr. Booth
My right hon. Friend makes public comment on settlements when this seems called for in all the circumstances of the case, including its relative importance.