§ 22. Mr. FENBYasked the Minister of Health the number of P-class clerks recommended by his Department for promotion to established clerical grade under Clause 5 of the Government memorandum of 12th January, 1925; and the number of appointments to the clerical class or classes of his Department from open competition since 1st January, 1928?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe number of P-class clerks promoted to the established clerical grade in my Department is 78. The number of appointments made to the clerical class from open competition since 1st January, 1928, is 45.
§ 33. Sir R. THOMASasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is prepared to reconsider the application of the P-class of civil servants for an improvement in their scale of pay, to place them on a similar footing to other civil servants as regards pensions?
§ 31. Mr. W. BENNETTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his intention to rectify the question of pay of the P-class of ex-service civil servants, as promised during the negotiations on the Guinness agreement?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EX-CHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)The ques- 1046 tion referred to is receiving further consideration. The hon. Member for South Battersea is, however, under a misapprehension in suggesting that any undertaking has at any time been given to improve the terms of remuneration of P-class clerks prescribed by the Guinness agreement.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 8,000 ex-service men in this class, that in the Provinces, where they have no pension provided for them, the average pay is £2 17s. 4d. a week, and that many of the men are married with large families and have in many cases to depend on charity?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have said that the question is receiving further consideration.
§ Sir R. THOMASMay I have an assurance that it is receiving immediate attention, and can the right hon. Gentleman promise that something will be done before the 10th proximo?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt would not be proper for me to give an undertaking of that kind, because consideration must necessarily precede an assurance of that description, but the matter will receive prompt attention.
§ Sir R. THOMASHas the right hon. Gentleman not had months of time to consider the matter, and is it fair for him to shoulder the responsibilities on to his successors?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have never said anything which could lead the hon. Member to infer either that I should shoulder this responsibility on to my successor or that I should have an immediate successor.