Day 118 - 01 May 95 - Page 71
1 MR. MORRIS: So when you have recruitment problems, in that
2 situation you brought in inducements, benefits, educational
3 benefits, yes, is that correct?
4 A. Yes, benefits.
5
6 Q. And at the same time you were thinking of employing younger
7 people as well?
8 A. In selected areas, but the Books programme was for the
9 whole of the country.
10
11 Q. I think also you previously said that when there is a
12 problem outside London the wage rates could be raised to a
13 higher level?
14 A. That is within the remit of the regional manager.
15
16 Q. So, effectively, you had recruitment difficulties because
17 people would not work for the money that you were presently
18 offering and you had to bring in either higher wage rates
19 or additional inducements?
20 A. No, that is not so.
21
22 Q. Because the wages you are paying are low, are they not?
23 A. No.
24
25 MR. JUSTICE BELL: You may say it does not matter, but is not
26 Mr. Morris right? If you raise your pay in Manchester, for
27 instance, or you offer extra benefits like books or
28 contribution to educational fees, that is because the rates
29 of pay you are offering hitherto are not enough to tempt
30 all the people you want to employ?
31 A. That is the reason why we have allowed the regional
32 managers to reduce in certain areas the ability to move,
33 that is perfectly correct, but the Book programme ----
34
35 Q. Where we go from there may be a matter for argument.
36 A. The Book programme was a general attraction.
37
38 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes, I take that point.
39
40 MR. MORRIS: Just before we leave the subject of employment of
41 under 16s, I think they are called under 15s; it is 15 or
42 under, is not?
43 A. School leaving age.
44
45 Q. School leaving age?
46 A. It varies up and down the country because local
47 government can also make their own restrictions, but
48 generally it is people under 16.
49
50 Q. Well, say, in your area which is covered by the ILEA, are
51 we talking about employment of 15 year olds? Is that what
52 we are taking about?
53 A. Under 16 year olds.
54
55 Q. Under 16. Is that 16-year olds and 15-year olds or 15 year
56 olds and under?
57
58 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No.
59 A. Under 16 is 15-year olds and under but we do not go
60 under.
