HC Deb 19 October 1949 vol 468 cc531-2
11. Air Commodore Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what salaries and allowances are paid to pilots and navigators employed in his Department's communication unit at Gatwick.

Mr. Lindgren

£800 rising by annual increments of £25 to £950 per annum and £700 rising by annual increments of £25 to £900 per annum, respectively. In addition, an allowance of £100 per annum is paid to three pilots whose duties include an element of V.I.P. work, and a supervisory allowance of £150 per annum is paid to the Senior Staff Pilot.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the rates of pay which he has just given are far below those paid by the Corporations and commercial operators, and also that these aircrews are at a great disadvantage on pension rates, because the Minister of Civil Aviation, under the Act, insists on commercial firms paying a certain rate and then himself undercuts that rate?

Mr. Lindgren

The statement of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is fundamentally correct, and the discrepancies are now under consideration, but we note the desire to increase expenditure.