§ 62. Mr. Purbrickasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will now take steps to discontinue the system of paying overtime to civil servants except in isolated cases of urgent necessity, which should be subjected to strict scrutiny; and by this means increase the efficiency of the Service and effect a saving of some millions of pounds per annum?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)The conditions under which payment is made for overtime are governed by awards of the Industrial Court or by agreements with the appropriate staff associations. It would be contrary to the policy of His Majesty's Government to vary such arrangements by unilateral action.
§ Mr. PurbrickIn view of the fact that the Civil Service have adequate staff, what is the necessity for the large amount of overtime?
§ Sir I. AlberyIs it not a fact that in many Government Departments civil servants are kept on during overtime hours when there is no work for them to do?
§ Captain CrookshankIf' my hon. Friend has any evidence of that kind, I shall be glad to have it.
§ Mr. PurbrickNo doubt if the Minister would refer to the Ministry of Supply, he would get sufficient evidence.