§ 54. Mr. Leachasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the. temporary staffs engaged 581 by the food offices, Employment Exchanges, Inland Revenue and other Departments receive a wage of £2 18s. per week, less insurances; that this rate was fixed before the war; that, despite the increase in the cost of living, no advances have been granted; and is he prepared to meet this hardship by an increase of wages?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)I am aware that the standard rate of pay for temporary male clerks, 25 years of age and over, employed by Government Departments in the provinces is 58s. a week, and that this rate was fixed before the war. The corresponding rate of pay for Outer London (and 11 large towns) is 60s. a week, and for the London postal area 62s. a week. Civil servants' rates of pay do not vary with the cost of living, but may be reconsidered in the light of substantial changes incomparable rates outside the service. I have no reason to think that the rates for temporary clerks are inadequate by comparison with those paid by other employers in the localities concerned.
§ Mr. LeachDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that the rise in the cost of living has reached a sufficient level for these rates to be reconsidered?
§ Captain CrookshankI could not say.