HC Deb 28 February 1946 vol 419 cc2089-90
25. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will revoke the wartime order empowering a number of county councils to make payment to their employees by cheque.

Mr. Ede

My information is that the manpower and transport difficulties in the way of sending round pay clerks to pay these workers in cash have not yet disappeared, and that it is still necessary to postpone for a time the revocation of this order.

Major Legge-Bourke

Would the Minister consider representations from county council roadmen, who particularly object to this form of payment, and who are reluctant to return to the roads on demobilisation?

Mr. Ede

I am willing to consider any representations. I hope that with the demobilisation of the necessary clerical staff it may be possible to revoke the order at no distant date.

Mr. Walker

Does my right hon. Friend realise that payment of wages by cheque to roadmen causes them great hardship because, generally speaking, they live in remote villages, and the only places where they can cash the cheques are in the local grocer's shop or the public house?

Mr. Ede

1 am well acquainted with this matter from more than one point of view, and I desire to bring the order to an end as soon as the staff is available.

Mr. Stubbs

Could not the Post Office be used for this purpose? Is my right hon. Friend aware of the hardship caused to people living in isolated villages, in which it is difficult to cash cheques? Surely he could arrange something through the Post Office.

Mr. Ede

I know from my own administrative experience that it is possible for a county council to make a private arrangement with the local Post Office, or some other establishment, where cheques can be exchanged. I hope that where there are difficulties, and a county council desires to continue the practice, it will endeavour to make such an arrangement.