§ 46. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSasked the Minister for the Coordination of Defence whether he is satisfied that there is a sufficient supply of trained technical staff, such as draughtsmen, craftsmen, etc., available to meet the demands of the emergency programme for armaments being designed or dealt with in Government factories and establishments; and whether the scale of salaries and wages paid in Government Departments is the same as that paid in private establishments for the same class of work?
§ The MINISTER for the CO-ORDINATION of DEFENCE (Sir Thomas Inskip)So far the demands of the programme have been met, and although it will be necessary to pay careful attention to the position, there is no need for anxiety at present. As regards the second part of the question, the general principle, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, is in 2037 conformity with the fair wages principle to endeavour to relate salaries and wages in Government employment to those prevailing outside for the same type of work.