37. Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the percentage rises in the cost of living in Palestine since 1939 and in official salaries, respectively.
§ Colonel StanleyThe present cost-of-living index figure in Palestine is 230 as compared with 100 in August, 1939, an increase of 130 per cent. As regards the last part of the Question, officials within certain salary limits receive compensatory allowances, including individual and family allowances, which are directly linked with fluctuations in the cost-of-living index. These allowances cannot easily be expressed as percentage increases on pre-war salaries and it will therefore be more convenient if I circulate the information, which contains a number of figures, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Mr. AstorIn view of the invaluable and often dangerous work which these officials are doing, will my right hon. and gallant Friend go into the matter carefully and see that their financial position is not straitened?
§ Colonel StanleyThis matter is under constant review.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Compensatory allowances payable to officials in Palestine on the present cost-of-living index figure of 230.
| Basic monthly salary | Monthly individual allowance. | |||||
| £ | £ | s. | d. | |||
| 6 | … | … | … | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| 7 | … | … | … | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| 8 | … | … | … | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | … | … | … | 5 | 17 | 0 |
| 10 | … | … | … | 6 | 10 | 0 |
§ Above £10 a month, up to a basic salary figure of £32 a month, the allowance is unchanged at the maximum of £6 10s. a month with suitable adjustments between salaries of £32 and £38 10s. a month.
§ Additional allowances payable to married officers:
| Monthly family allowance | ||||
| Dependants. | £ | s. | d. | |
| Wife | … | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Wife and 1 child | … | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| Wife and 2 children | … | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| Wife and 3 children | … | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| Wife and 4 children | … | 5 | 4 | 0 |
§ Family allowances are paid to married officials, but are limited to a maximum of four children, as follows:
- (i) Officers on salaries of £60 a month or less with 2 or more children;
- (ii) Officers on salaries of£54a month or less with 1 child;
- (iii) Officers without children and on salaries of £48 a month or less.