HC Deb 23 November 1914 vol 68 cc765-6
43. Mr. BARNES

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that there are numbers of outport Customs watchers whose wages are only 21s. per week and that, owing to the conditions of their employment, promotion is for most of them impossible; if he is aware that these men enter the service after, in many cases, having served in the Army or Navy, in respect of which service they are in receipt of small pensions ranging from 8d. per day; if he will say if this pension counts in fixing the present scale of wages, and, if not, is 21s. regarded as an adequate wage for any man in Home Government employment; if any improvement and, if so, what improvement has been made in the pay and prospects of these men since the Departmental Committee which heard evidence on their case in 1911–12; and, if no improvement has been made, will he undertake to make inquiry with a view to bringing the wages up to a decent living standard?

Mr. MONTAGU

The wages of Customs watchers at the outports are 21s. a week, and one-fourth of the class constitute an upper section, with wages rising to 24s. a week. In addition, two good conduct allowances of 1s. a week each are granted after five and ten years' service respectively. There is no promotion open to the class. These wages are paid irrespective of any pensions drawn in respect of previous service, and the emoluments of the men are considered adequate for the simple duties they have to perform. Since the inquiry by the Committee of 1911–12 the following improvements have been granted, namely; the two good conduct allowances already mentioned, a time allowance for night duty under which six hours of such discount as seven, and an increase in the rate of overtime pay from 6d. to 7d. an hour.

Mr. BARNES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of those who are now on 21s. a week can never get any more owing to the age at which they joined? Under these circumstances, is he still of opinion that 21s. is an adequate wage for these men?

Mr. MONTAGU

The work is of a very simple nature.

Mr. BARNES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that men who have served the country in the Army or the Navy enter this service at about 40 years of age?

Mr. MONTAGU

One-fourth of the class get wages up to 24s.

Mr. BARNES

If they enter young enough—and these men do not.