§ MR. HEYWOOD JOHNSTONE (Sussex, Horsham)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the hours of work for lady clerks in the office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies; if they are compelled to work overtime; and at what rate of pay or remuneration.
(Answered by Mr. Seeretary Lyttelton.) The internal administration of the office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies is entirely in their hands. They inform me, however, that the hours of work for lady clerks in their office are 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., but, like all other members of the staff, they are required to remain until any pressing work is completed before they are at liberty to leave. The Crown Agents do not give extra pay for overtime work, but the fact that overtime is often necessary is taken into account in the amount of the salaries which they give to their staff. I may add that the lady clerks in the Crown Agents' office receive salaries commencing at £70 and rising to £150 a year. They have four weeks holiday in the year, in addition to Bank and other special holidays, a half holiday on every Saturday, and a whole holiday on every third Saturday whenever the state of business permits. I understand that these conditions of employment compare favourably with those which are in force in Government offices, even when the fullest allowance is made for overtime payments in the latter, and I am informed that no complaints on the subject have reached the Crown Agents.