§ 50. Mr. Piratinasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds and calculations he has offered the Civil Service Union an increase of one farthing an hour for the Government's women office cleaners.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)The present hourly rate of 1s. 7¾d. rising after two years to 1s. 8¼d. was agreed for Post Office cleaners in November, 1947, and accepted for Government cleaners generally in March last. An hourly rate of 1s. 8½d. now appears justified by comparison with other rates current in the London area.
§ Mr. PiratinCan the Financial Secretary justify to this House an increase of ¼d. based on 1s. 7¼d. to these women—who work so hard and well, as we are often told in this House—when Tilling Bros. were given£24,800,000 and were not worth a third of it?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI have answered the Question on the Order Paper as to the grounds for the increase for this particular work, and, if the hon. Gentleman will look at my reply, I think he will find that I have answered him.
§ Mr. ScollanCan my right hon. Friend tell us if this is a deliberate policy to cut down these wages in order to encourage the women to join the Services?
§ Mr. Platts-MillsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that, outside London, the pay to these ladies is 1s. 5⅞d. per hour, and that, for that pay, some ladies are cleaning as much as 2,000 square yards of Government office floors?