§ 95. Major CLIFTON BROWNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is proposed to review the question of the remuneration of women in the Civil Service, in order to get effect to the Resolution of this House of 5th August, 1921?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis question has been reviewed both by the late and by the present Government, with the result that it has been decided that the state of the country's finances does not admit of the increase of expenditure involved in the application of the principle of equal pay for men and women in the Civil Service.
Major BROWNAre we to understand that a public pledge given to a great number of women of this country can be fulfilled by the holding of a private inquiry?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not think I can attempt to argue the matter in answer to a question.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it not the fact that the Government have already recognised this principle in consequence of a lady sitting on the Front Bench?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not think we must generalise from the extensive to the particular.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government is the only authority that makes a difference in rates of pay between medical men and medical women, and whether he will take that circumstance into consideration?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis matter was considered in the time of the late Administration, and I have not found it possible to arrive at any decision to reverse the decision to which our predecessors came.
Captain BENNWould the Government be willing to give the House of Commons an opportunity of expressing its opinion on this matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLQuestions relating to the business of the House should be addressed to the Prime Minister.