§ 23. Sir A. YEOasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the addition to Section 8 of the Industrial Courts Act which definitely classes clerical workers as workmen, it is the intention of the Government that these Section 8 clerical workers shall receive the increased cost of living bonuses ordered to be paid to workmen to assist them to meet the increased cost of living?
§ Sir R. HORNEAdvances in wages to meet the increased cost of living have been granted to numerous classes of workers, including certain clerical workers, by arbitration awards. These awards, as 380 the hon. Member is aware, apply only to the parties to the arbitration. There is no power under the Industrial Courts Act by which the Government can direct that the various bonuses or advances shall apply to all clerical workers.