HC Deb 08 December 1947 vol 445 cc813-5

4.28 p.m.

The Chairman

As there are a number of consequential Amendments, they might properly be discussed together, if the Committee agrees.

Mr. Oliver Stanley (Bristol, West)

I beg to move, in page 2, line 24, to leave out from beginning, to end of line 27, and to insert, "by one pound."

This and the next two Amendments are consequential on this one, and it will be for the convenience of the Committee if we discuss them together. The purpose is very simple. Whereas under the existing Bill there is a differentiation made in the increase to Class I and II and Class III and IV governors, if this Amendment were accepted, it would mean that all governors of all four classes would be treated alike, and each would receive a pound a year extra for every completed month of service as a governor. I referred to this in the Debate on the Second Reading, and made the point, which I think a good one, that very often it is the Class III and IV governors, who never get to the big territories with big salaries and expenses, who on retirement are the worst off, and are most in need of this extra help. It is also very often in regard to governors of that class that the Secretary of State has the hardest decision to make between another appointment and putting them on the retired list. I hope the hon. Gentleman will see his way to accept this Amendment.

4.30 p.m.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Rees-Williams)

My right hon. Friend and I have considered this Amendment, which we think is a good one. We are grateful to the right hon. Member for West Bristol (Mr. Stanley) for raising this matter on Second reading. The change will mean an addition from the Exchequer of £500 a year, but we think the reasons the right hon. Gentleman has given far outweighs this small additional charge. I will give one or two cases showing how it will work out. A governor who serves the normal period of five years in Class III receives £240. Our original proposal would have raised it to £270, and the present proposal would raise it to £300 a year. A governor who serves five years in Class IV now receives £180; the original proposal would bring it up to £210, and this proposal would bring it to £240 a year. A governor appointed at 50 to a Class IV post, having already earned a pension of £850 a year in a Civil Service post, will now qualify for a pension of £1,090. I think that will meet the views of the Committee as a whole.

Mr. Stanley

May I express thanks to the hon. Gentleman for accepting this Amendment which, I am sure, will be of advantage to some of the most hard worked people in the service.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In line 33, leave out "four pounds, ten shillings," and insert "five pounds."

In line 34, leave out "three pounds, ten shillings," and insert "four pounds."—[Mr. Stanley.]

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.