§ 72. Mr. Chamberlainasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Government's decision to award salary increases up to an additional £24 a week to civil servants already in receipt of four-figure incomes, he will now arrange for a review of the award of one farthing an hour increase to cleaners in Government offices.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo recent award has been made in respect of the pay of women cleaners in Government offices. Their pay will be reviewed by an impartial and representative body—the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal—on 14th March and, should that Tribunal recommend any revision, effect will be given to its award.
§ Mr. ChamberlainIf my right hon. and learned Friend is not taking any immediate steps in the matter of the farthing, could he not agree that these other increases are quite at variance with the spirit of the White Paper on Incomes of a year ago? Is it not also at variance with the spirit of equity and the Socialist principles which he and I profess?
§ Mr. Nigel BirchHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman been reading the articles of the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) in the "Daily Worker"?
§ Sir Arthur SalterWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer bear in mind the need not to allow an excessive discrimination against the Civil Service as compared with the higher appointments not only in private industry, but under nationalisation?