§ 37. Sir C. OMANasked the Postmaster-General what was the total number of persons in his Department receiving a salary and allowances, or bonuses, exceeding £800 a year on 1st April, 1914, and on 1st April, 1921, respectively?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYFifty-two officers were receiving salaries exceeding £800 on 1st April, 1914, and 51 on 1st April, 1921; 637 other officers whose basic salary is less than £800 receive total emoluments exceeding £800 by the addition of the cost-of-living bonus.
§ Sir C. OMANDoes that mean we have to compare the figure 52 for the year 1914 with 688 now receiving, including allowances over £800 a year? Does it mean that 12 times as many people are receiving £800 a year now as compared with 1914?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYYes, if you make the comparison as between basic salaries with 1678 war bonus added. But if you compare basic salaries in each case the figures are 52 in 1914, and 51 this year.
§ Sir C. OMANDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that by increasing 12 times the number of persons receiving large salaries he is giving satisfaction to members of the general public whose salaries were fixed in the year 1880 and have not been increased?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI think not, but the question is directed to the point whether the policy of giving war bonuses is right or not. It is the policy of the Government to which the Government and its employés have set their seal and it cannot now be treated as a scrap of paper.