§ 43. Colonel ASHLEYasked whether he is aware that a feeling of discontent exists among the temporary clerks employed in various Government Departments; that this is due to the granting of a war bonus awarded and announced in War Office Official Memorandum 994, and paid as from 17th December, 1917, to permanent clerks; and that temporary clerks, many of them discharged and silver badged men, are suffering from the cost of living in equal proportion to the permanent clerks; and whether, in view of the promise made in the Treasury letter notifying the Grant 31 referred to that claims made on behalf of classes of temporary employés will form the subject of a later award, he will consider the possibility of granting a bonus to temporary clerks, the award to operate from the same date as the award to the permanent clerks?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Blackburn last Thursday, no general increase of war bonus has been awarded to temporary clerks. Instructions are, however, being given for the payment of the increase of war bonus awarded to permanent employés, as from the 17th December last to the temporary clerks in the War Office who have been engaged at the same rates as the permanent staff.
§ Colonel ASHLEYDo I understand that although the War Office temporary clerks are to get this war bonus while the temporary clerks in the Ministry of Munitions are to be left out?
§ Mr. BALDWINI understand that the whole question of the application of the bonus to temporary clerks is under consideration.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf it has been decided to apply it to War Office clerks, why should the Ministry of Munition clerks be left out in the cold?