HC Deb 24 February 1949 vol 461 cc2024-5
59. Mrs. Castle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of his decision to make a start in implementing the Chorley Report by granting some increases in salary for the higher grades of the Civil Service before the end of the year, he will also now make a start in implementing the principle of equal pay in the Civil Service, to which he is also committed.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

No, Sir. The current economic situation does not admit even the start of the gradual implementation of equal pay in the Civil Service.

Mrs. Castle

Is it not equally important to make a gesture to the long-frustrated women of the Civil Service? In view of the fact that a start is being made in other directions despite the inflationary risk, will not my right hon. Friend make a start here, too, by at least equalising the incremental scales for men and women in the Civil Service?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The two are hardly on all fours. The cost of implementing the Report of the Chorley Commission will not be more than £400,000 spread over a number of years, but to start implementing equal pay in the Civil Service would cost at least £10 million in the first year—

Mrs. Castle

Oh, no.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

—and that would rise pretty considerably and would have repercussions outside.

Mr. Ronald Chamberlain

Does not my right hon. Friend remember that in a reply which he gave me about a week ago he said that the cost would be £1,750,000 in the first year, rising to £10 million eventually? In view of the very bad answer he has given, does he not think that he ought to be on all fours?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

My hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain), as often happens with him, has misunderstood the previous reply. The £1,750,000 referred to giving the same increments as to men. That would be the figure.

Mrs. Castle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is exactly what I asked him for in my supplementary question? Would he mind answering the point I raised and not one which is a figment of his own imagination?

Mr. Chamberlain

My right hon. Friend has also misunderstood my supplementary question.