§ 51. Captain IAN FRASERasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have reached a decision with regard to a number of ex-service civil servants, known as salaried officers, who at present occupy executive positions superior to the clerical class, and have done 10 to 12 years' service; and what the decision is?
§ Major ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. This matter is now under discussion by a special committee of official and staff representatives, including among the latter representatives of the class of temporary salaried officers.
§ Captain FRASERWill my right hon. and gallant Friend give full weight to the fact that these salaried officers are supported by an agreement between them and the official side which implies, in the view of many Members of this House, permanent employment for them in positions superior to those of the clerical grade, and that each of them has had a letter which confirms the view that they should be kept in those superior positions, and should not be put down to the bottom of the clerical grade?
§ Major ELLIOTI will, of course, keep those contentions in mind, but, as my hon. and gallant Friend will realise, these matters are suitable for discussion in exactly such a committee as is now examining them, where they can be discussed with the representatives of the very class of civil servants whose case he is now bringing forward.
§ Captain FRASERIn the event of agreement not being reached in that committee, will my right hon. and gallant Friend undertake that he will not prejudice the position of these men by taking advantage of the fact that the House is not sitting?
§ Major ELLIOTI cannot give any undertaking that no action will be taken during the long period between now and the re-assembling of the House.