§ 72. Mr. CROOKSasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state when a reply may be expected to the petition presented by the London Customs watchers for some concession to meet the increased cost of living; and whether, in view of the responsible duties discharged by these men, he can hold out any hope of a favourable reply being given and their being treated similarly to the employes of the Port of London Authority and other bodies, who have received a war bonus up to 6s. a week?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given on the 10th instant by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for West Ham with regard to the wages of Customs watchers in general. The improved scale announced in that reply will benefit a considerable proportion of the London watchers, and after careful consideration I have not felt able to authorise any further concession in their case.