§ 49. Sir H. NIELDasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in certain Departments, of which the Ministry of Health is one, it has been found necessary to make a monetary advance to ex-service, Lytton, candidates on account of their monthly salaries, so as to enable them to provide food and other necessaries for Christmas; whether he realises that the boy clerk rate of pay is inadequate for men who have a wife and children to provide for; and whether, in view of this state of affairs, he will set up afresh the Committee of Inquiry to consider the question of adequate pay?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Baldwin)I am informed that in the Ministry of Health it is proposed as a matter of convenience to the staff to make small advances in respect of salary for December, normally payable at the end of the month, to members of the permanent staff with basic salaries not exceeding £300 a year. These 3124 advances are not confined to ex-servicemen or to recent entrants to the clerical class, and I see no justification for the inference drawn from them by my hon. and learned Friend. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
§ Sir H. NIELDDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that we are still paying £80 a year to men with families? Does he justify it?
§ Mr. BALDWINThat is a long subject to deal with by means of question and answer.