HC Deb 14 June 1921 vol 143 c202
71. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the war bonus for civil servants was calculated on the average Board of Trade figure for the first of each month for every four months, and revised consequently on 1st November and 1st March with resultant increases; and why the decision was then taken to wait six months untill 1st September, when the next revision, if taken on 1st July, would have resulted in a large saving to the State?

Mr. YOUNG

The hon. and gallant Member is in error in suggesting that there has been a recent decision on this point. The original agreement entered into in May, 1920, at a time when it would have been impossible to forecast with any degree of accuracy future fluctuations in the Ministry of Labour cost of living figure provided that the Civil Service bonus should be recalculated every four months during the first 12 months of its operation and every six months thereafter. Under this arrangement revisions were effected on 1st July, 1920, 1st November, 1920, and 1st March, 1921 and the next revision falls to be made on 1st September 1921, as correctly stated by my hon. Friend.

Commander BELLAIRS

Why is it not possible to revise that decision of May, 1920, when it will obviously benefit the country if it be revised?

Mr. YOUNG

I think the reply to that question has been given in answer to similar previous questions, that this is an agreement made between two parties, and an agreement stands or falls as a whole.

Commander BELLAIRS

Has the House had the sanctioning of the agreement?

Mr. GIDEON MURRAY

Is it the case that the civil servants themselves would be prepared to alter that agreement?

Mr. YOUNG

I could not answer that question for obvious reasons.

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