§ 21. Mr. GILLISasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that on the 9th instant the Sheffield War Pensions Committee received a circular from the Leeds regional office giving instructions that the wages of the staff were to be reduced by 5s. per week, and that such reduction was to be retrospective for one week; whether this instruction was issued with his knowledge and consent; and whether it is the policy of the Department to reduce wages without previous notice?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe reduction referred to was the result of an agreement come to after protracted negotiations between the representatives of the staff and the Treasury. The agreement was a compromise in favour of the staff and its terms were well known. I think that it would have been better if formal notice could have been given sooner.
§ Mr. GILLISDo I understand that this is an agreement between the staff and the Ministry?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONBetween the staff, not and the Ministry, but the Treasury.