§ 48. Mr. MACKINDERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to Award No. 1262 of the Industrial Court, in which the Court 2186 unanimously finds that the Government has failed to comply with a promise or honourable undertaking in relation to Civil Service salaries which both parties (the Government and superior officers of the Civil Service) thought and intended should be implemented to the full; and what action he proposes to take?
§ 44. Mr. ERNEST EVANSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the unanimous finding of the Industrial Court (Award 1262), expressing its view that it is only natural that feelings of resentment should aroused in the Civil Service when the super-cut was put into force without consultation on the Whitley Council, and expressing the additional opinion that, as there was a Whitley Council for Civil Service matters, every effort should be made to bring forward all questions within its jurisdiction for discussion before executive action is taken; and what action, on this finding, the Government propose to take?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir; I have considered this award. The expressions of opinion quoted by the hon. Members form no part of the award of the Court upon their terms of reference, nor indeed is the question of the administration of the Whitley system in the Civil Service within the scope of the jurisdiction of this Court. The decision reached by the Government in July, 1921, regarding the Civil Service bonus was announced to and received the approval of the House of Commons, and while the Government have every intention of continuing to make the fullest possible use of tile machinery of Whitley Councils in Civil Service matters when it is appropriate, they cannot in the exercise of their responsibility to this House surrender their liberty to take such action as may appear to them in any case to be required in the public interest. This discretion is a recognised condition of the establishment of Whitley Councils in the Civil Service and the Government do not intend to waive it.
§ Mr. MACKINDERDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider it advisable, first to consult the Whitley Council before taking action in the House of Commons? Is it not better to convert people rather than compel them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir; not in all cases.