80. Mr. T. WILSONasked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received any applications from controlled firms engaged in the manufacture of aircraft to allow them to pay certain of their workpeople an increased wage, such increase to be paid from the funds of the firm concerned; if so, whether the request has been refused; and whether he will state the reason for such refusal?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)I have not in mind the particular case referred to by my hon. Friend. It is not the practice of the Department to sanction proposals for increases in wages to any class of workpeople already in receipt of the recognised standard district rate, unless exceptional circumstances justifying the increase are shown. It is in the interest of all concerned that uniformity in wages should be maintained so far as possible.