§ 21. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that a feeling of dissatisfaction exists among the discharged soldiers who are employed as messengers at Head quarters, Southern Command, Salisbury; that this is due to their exclusion from the recent Grant, under Army Council Instruction No. 247 of 1918, of 6s. to men and 4s. to women who were employéd as civilian temporary clerks; and that the messengers have only had a total war bonus of 7s. per week; and whether, in view of the cost of living, he will grant an increased bonus to the men referred to?
§ Mr. FORSTERI regret that the result of the inquiries which I have instituted, as promised, is not yet known. I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend when it is.
22. Sir F. HALLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the additional war bonus to temporary civilian clerks has by this time been fully considered by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board of Government Employers; whether, considering that a promise was made three months ago that a decision would be given very shortly, he will now state when such increase is to be granted, and what it will amount to; whether payments will be retrospective; and, if so, from what date?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo general award has been given. Each class of case is being dealt with on its merits, and Instructions are being issued as decisions are reached.
Sir F. HALLIs my right hon. Friend aware that on 15th January he gave me a reply to a similar question stating that the award would shortly be made, and are we to understand that there is to be no general increase, but it is to be left to one or two isolated cases in which the war bonus is to be paid?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is quite true that I gave the answer to which my hon. and gallant Friend alludes. At that time I was under the impression that the Conciliation and Arbitration Board was going to give a general award covering all classes of cases submitted. I understand that is not being done, but they are dealing with separate classes of cases separately, and as they reach decisions effect is given to them.
§ Sir W. COLLINSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no such claim as that mentioned in the question has come before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board, and that any delay there may be in the matter rests elsewhere than with the board?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo; I was not aware of that. I thought there had been cases of temporary civilian clerks which had been decided by the board.
§ Sir W. COLLINSWar Office clerks?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not think it depends on the fact whether they are War Office clerks or not.
Sir F. HALLHas there been any war bonus at all given to these people as a body, and may I press on the right hon. Gentleman the absolute necessity of something being done speedily?
§ Mr. FORSTERI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I should like to get the thing settled as soon as I can.
§ 32. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the reason for the decision to pay the increased war bonus awarded to permanent employé as from the 17th of December last only to temporary clerks in the War Office who have been engaged at the same rates as the permanent staff; and whether, in view of the fact that the increase of the cost of living affects all employés, permanent or temporary, whatever their rate of pay, he will grant a bonus to temporary clerks in the various Departments, many of whom are discharged and silver-badged soldiers?
§ Mr. STANLEY BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)The war bonus referred to was granted to assist in meeting the increased cost of living of the staff engaged at pre-war rates of pay. Staff engaged during the War at higher rates of pay, which already include provision for the increase in the cost of living, are obviously not entitled to the same grant, and each case requires to be dealt with on its merits.
§ Colonel ASHLEYCan the hon. Gentleman state why the temporary clerks receive the higher rate of pay and not the permanent clerks?
§ Mr. BALDWINRegard was had to the current rate at the time the engagements were made.
§ Colonel ASHLEYDid not the hon. Gentleman state that the temporary clerks had not received the war bonus because they were receiving a higher rate of pay than the others?
Sir F. HALLIf these cases are going to be dealt with separately, one after another, how long does the hon. Gentleman think it will be before the just demands of these people will be met? May I press the hon. Gentleman for a reply?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the question is so important, it is one that can be put down.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWhere?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a question to another Minister.