Equal Pay

Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 February 1965.

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Photo of Dr Shirley Summerskill Dr Shirley Summerskill , Halifax 12:00, 22 February 1965

asked the Minister of Labour what stage he has reached in his examination of the social and economic issues of implementing the right to equal pay for equal work; and when this examination will be completed.

Photo of Mr Raymond Gunter Mr Raymond Gunter , Southwark

This examination is bound to take time, but it is making good progress. I cannot yet say how soon it will be completed.

Photo of Dr Shirley Summerskill Dr Shirley Summerskill , Halifax

Would my right hon. Friend tell the House that it is his definite intention to introduce legislation to keep an election pledge given to the nation by the Labour Party that it would implement the right to equal pay for equal work?

Photo of Mr Raymond Gunter Mr Raymond Gunter , Southwark

As my hon. Friend knows, the pledge given by the Labour Party was that if returned to power it would seek, at an appropriate stage in its first term of office, to consider ways and means of implementing equal pay. We shall fulfil that pledge.

Photo of Mr Julian Ridsdale Mr Julian Ridsdale , Harwich

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what the cost of such a proposal would be?

Photo of Mr Raymond Gunter Mr Raymond Gunter , Southwark

There are so many actuaries and economists working on it now that I do not know.