§ 59. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will report to the House the outcome of recent negotiations in respect of the pay of typists and shorthand typists in the Civil Service.
§ Mr. DaltonAgreement has been reached with the representative staff associations that the rates of pay for temporary typing staffs in the Civil Service should be increased to the same level as those for corresponding permanent grades, with effect from 1st January last. The permanent rates are to be the subject of further joint discussion as part of wider negotiations affecting permanent clerical grades, but in the meantime the rates for permanent typing staffs in London and the larger provincial towns are being raised by 3s. a week, also with effect from the 1st January last.
§ Mr. BrownMay I ask the Chancellor to take a stern line with his Treasury officials on this matter, and see that these further negotiations to which he refers will result in a speedy settlement? Otherwise the difficulties about typists will be increased.
§ Mr. DaltonI am anxious to get this thing settled and agreed.
§ Mr. James CallaghanMay 1 ask my right hon. Friend to keep in mind the fact that these skilled workpeople will still be getting less than the clerical officers, and would it not be a good idea in the course of the negotiations to put them on a level?
§ Mr. DaltonThat is widening the Question on the Paper a little.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonIs it true to say that these rates are lower than those which prevail outside the Civil Service?
§ Mr. DaltonThey are lower than some rates paid by large and prosperous private enterprise.
§ Mr. NicholsonShould not the Chancellor of the Exchequer set an example as he has his hand in everybody's pocket?
§ Sir Waldron SmithersHas the Chancellor ever heard of the word "inflation "?