§ 1. Mr. LAWTHERasked the Minister of Labour if he has now come to a decision to reduce the fees of two-and-a-half guineas plus travelling and subsistence allowance now paid to chairmen and deputy-chairmen of courts of referees for each sitting?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)A reduction of 10 per cent. is being made as from 1st October in the fees payable to chairmen, reserve chairmen, and deputy-chairmen of courts of referees. No alteration is at present contemplated in the scales of travelling and subsistence allowances.
§ Mr. LAWTHERI would like to know whether there have been any consultations with these chairmen with reference to this cut, and also why no cut has taken place in the subsistence allowance, seeing that those they have to deal with have had a cut in that respect?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir, no consultation has taken place, and it seems to me that a cut of 10 per cent. is in the circumstances fair.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the Minister aware that the cut of 10 per cent. will still leave these men with £2 7s. 6d. a day, and does he think the position of the country warrants that?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes.
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder. This is evidently a matter of opinion and ought not to be answered.