§ 67. Mr. JOHN JONESasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the officers employed by the Poplar Board of Guardians applied for a war bonus of 35s. per week; whether the 1733 board of guardians granted the application, but his Department declined to sanction the increase on the grounds that it is in excess of the rate laid down in the Treasury scale, which is 23s. per week; and whether, in view of the great increase m the cost of living, this matter can be reconsidered?
§ Major ASTORAn application was received from the Poplar Board of Guardians for sanction to the payment of a war bonus of 35s. a week to all clerks over eighteen years of age in their service. Those clerks are in receipt of a war bonus in accordance with the Civil Service scale framed to carry out the awards of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government employés, which scale the Local Government Board have recommended local authorities to adopt. My right hon. Friend does not consider that he would be justified in sanctioning payments by way of war bonus to clerks of a local authority in excess of those for the time being authorised for Civil servants.