§ 56. Lieut.-Colonel Sir GODFREY DALRYMPLE-WHITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to defer any further reduction in the cost-of-living bonus until after the report of the Royal Commission on the subject has been issued and considered?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 11th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Shepherd).
§ Sir H. CROFTIs it not possible for an interim report to be speeded up with regard to this particular subject?
§ Mr. SNOWDENSeeing that the report of the Royal Commission is expected in a week or two, I do not see what useful purposes an interim report would serve.
§ 57. Commander SOUTHBYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the formal request asking him to receive a deputation representative of ex-service civil servants with a view to their discussing with him any further cuts in the cost-of-living bonus; and if he will agree to receive such a deputation before any further reduction is made in the salaries of this class of civil servants?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have already undertaken to receive a deputation on the subject referred to from the staff side of the National Whitley Council. This body, through its affiliated associations, represents the majority of ex-service men in the Civil Service, and I think it unnecessary to receive a separate deputation on the subject from the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYAre any further cuts in contemplation in civil servants' pay?
§ Mr. SNOWDENIt will not be known until the middle of August what the figure will be under the existing arrangement.