HC Deb 17 April 1913 vol 51 cc2113-5
55. Mr. FREDERICK HALL (Dulwich)

asked if the approval of the Treasury is required to the appointment to posts in the Civil Service to which a commencing salary on a rising scale is attached at higher than the commencing rates; and, if so, whether the approval of the Treasury was given in all the cases specified in the Returns recently published of persons appointed without competitive examination in which the commencing salary paid was in excess of the fixed minimum?

Mr. ROBERTSON

The special sanction of the Treasury would be required for the appointment of any Civil servant at a rate of salary higher than the minimum of the scale attached to the post to which he was appointed unless the case fell within certain categories covered by general authorities given under Treasury Minutes. If in any case such sanction were not obtained, the omission would be noticed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General and queried by him. I am not aware of any case among those to which the hon. Member refers in which such omission has occurred.

60. Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN

asked whether the Board of Education employs permanent clerks at salaries less than the equivalent of £l per week; and what is the number of clerks in the Board's service receiving, on 31st March ultimo, less than £1 per week, 25s. per week, and 30s. per week, respectively?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Trevelyan)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that the commencing salary of an assistant clerk is £45. The number of permanent clerks, including women clerks and typists, in the Board's service receiving on 31st March last less than 30s. per week was 199. Of these, 136 received less than 25s. per week, and of these, again, forty-four received less than £1 per week.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Is any distinction made in the salaries paid to men and women for the same class of work?

Mr. TREVELYAN

If the hon. Member will put down a question I will give him the figures.

Mr. BARNES

What is the age of these people who start at £45 a year?

Mr. TREVELYAN

Seventeen.

61. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked whether the Board's assistant clerks are eligible for special increments similar to those awarded to second division clerks?

Mr. TREVELYAN

Assistant clerks serving under the Board of Education are eligible for special increments only under the conditions laid down in Treasury Regulations of 22nd December, 1908, but the conditions of these increments are not similar to those under which special increments are granted to second division clerks under Clause 33 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910.

99. Mr. POINTER

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of adults serving in a civil capacity in his Department; the grades and numbers of persons so employed who receive less than 30s. per week or £78 per annum; and the number whose working day exceeds eight hours?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)

The total number so serving in the War Office amounts to 1,179, of whom 268 are receiving less than 30s. a week or £78 a year. This latter number includes 33 lady typists, 110 messengers and porters, and 100 female servants and charwomen. The normal working day for all classes is less than eight hours a day, except for messengers, who are liable for a longer period, but are rarely called up to work beyond a period of eight hours.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Are the wages paid to women typists less than those paid to men typists?

Mr. BAKER

I must ask for notice.