HC Deb 07 July 1914 vol 64 cc869-70
16. Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to an examination for assistant clerks (abstractor class), National Health Insurance Commission (Wales), to be held on the 28th July in which the subjects of examination will be English, a language (Latin, French, German, or Welsh), elementary mathematics, and two of the following subjects: a second language (Latin, French, German, or Welsh), history and geography, further mathematics, and science; and if, taking into consideration the nature of the examination, the cost of living, and the condemnation by the Royal Commission on the Civil Service of the initial salary, £45 per annum, of assistant clerks, he will take steps to have brought into operation the recommendations of the Royal Commission so far as these relate to the salary scale of this class?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am aware that arrangements are being made for this examination. The specific recommendations of the Royal Commission with respect to assistant clerks are receiving the careful attention of the Treasury. When a decision has been reached with reference to these and other cognate recommendations, steps will be taken to give effect to them without any avoidable delay.

Mr. C. DUNCAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long the "careful attention" is going to last?