§ 67. Mr. HOGGEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to put into practice in the Civil Service the principle of equal pay for equal work; whether he is aware that temporary civil servants doing similar and in some cases higher work than corresponding grades of permanent civil servants are forced to work longer hours whilst receiving less pay and fewer holidays than the permanent servants; and whether he will give an undertaking to go into the whole question with a view to equalising the conditions of service?
Mr. GRAHAMThe interpretation of the principle referred to by the hon. Member presents considerable difficulty. Generally speaking, the grading of temporary civil servants does not correspond with that of the permanent staff; and, even where some correspondence can be established, it is necessary to remember that the conditions of recruitment and service differ substantially. The question of the remuneration of the temporary clerical staffs is under discussion with associations representing this staff at the present time, and the hon. Member can rest satisfied that comparison with the permanent staffs, in so far as it can properly be made, will not be overlooked.
Mr. GRAHAMNo, but it is true that the hours are different. There are, however, very considerable reasons for that course in the Civil Service at the present time.
Mr. GRAHAMYes, that is true to the extent of a certain number of hours, but against that, of course, there are all the conditions of permanent establishment, superannuation and other rights.