§ 49. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can issue a statement setting out the respective cost of restoring 50 per cent. of the economy cuts in the salaries of those affected; the approximate percentage by which such salaries will be now increased; and how pensions will be affected as a result?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn reply to the first part of the question, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the approximate allocation among the various services of the estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in the current financial year of the half-restoration of cuts in emoluments from 1st July, 1934. The very numerous calculations required by the second part of the question in their application over the very wide field concerned would involve an expenditure of time and labour which I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate could not be justified. As regards the third part of the question, while arrangements as regards pension vary from Service to Service and sometimes also within the Service, it may be stated in general terms that where pension varies with the actual amount of pay a small increase in pension is involved for persons retiring after the date of the increase in pay.
§ Mr. WILMOTCan the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that those who 314 suffer pay cuts will not be required in perpetuity to suffer a cut in their pensions?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI think I should be very indiscreet to give an assurance in perpetuity.
§ Following are the figures referred to :
| £ | |
| Ministers | 11,000 |
| Members of Parliament | 8,000 |
| Judges | 21,000 |
| Civil Servants | 941,000 |
| Members of the Defence Forces | 708,000 |
| Teachers | 1,820,000 |
| Police | 258,000 |
| Insurance Doctors and Chemists | 350,000 |
| 4,117,000 |