HC Deb 12 December 1938 vol 342 cc1611-2
75. Mr. E. J. Williams

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider the advisability of initiating an inquiry into the possibility of providing retiring allowances for permanent employés in His Majesty's Office of Works engaged in the Houses of Parliament?

Sir P. Sassoon

I regret that I cannot regard the staff of my Department employed within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster as in a different position from other industrial employés of the Crown; and, on the question of retiring allowances generally, I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Gillingham Division of Rochester (Sir R. Gower) on 25th November last.

Mr. Williams

Does not the First Commissioner think that the Government in this respect ought to follow the example of other employers?

Sir P. Sassoon

It does not apply only to these employés at the Palace of Westminster.