§ 69. Mr. W. J. BROWNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to announce the intentions 1949 of the Government in regard to the Civil Service bonus as from September next?
§ 70. Mr. BOWENasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now able to announce the intentions of the Government regarding the bonus of civil servants as from 1st September next?
§ 72. Mr. MILLARasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the recommendations contained in the report of the Civil Service Commission, he can now make any statement as to the future remuneration of civil servants; and whether he will meantime avoid taking any action involving further reductions of salary under the present bonus scale?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENI am not in a position to announce the intentions of the Government, and can say no more at present than that I will make a statement at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. BROWNMay I give notice that I will take the opportunity of the discussion on the Appropriation Bill to raise this matter?
§ Mr. BOWENIs not my right hon. Friend able to give us a statement before the House rises? It must be obvious that this is a very important question, requiring some decision?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI do not agree with my hon. Friend as to the immediate urgency of the point raised in these questions. It wants five weeks yet to the 1st September, and, as I said in my reply, the report of the Civil Service Commission has only been out a few days, and it will require very careful consideration. I will make an announcement as soon as I have come to a decision.
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice has been given that this question will be raised on the Appropriation Bill, and we had better wait until that time.