§ 6. Captain Waterhouseasked the Minister of Supply if he has any further statement to make on the subject of the chauffeurs of official cars who waited all night at the House on Thursday, 15th June.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon. and gallant Member on 26th June.
§ Captain WaterhouseIs it not a fact that some of these chauffeurs were released so late, and had to be there so early, that they were unable to return to their homes and slept in their motor cars? Does it not make it worse when a man has to stop there all night and gets no pay for it and does the Minister think that is a proper use of manpower?
§ Mr. StraussAll the chauffeurs, as the right hon. and gallant Member is aware, were dismissed at the latest by two o'clock or half-past. I understand that some of them remained in the House all night or in the cars or in the rest room 5 before coming on duty the next morning, but I have not had any complaints from any of the chauffeurs involved.
§ Captain WaterhouseWhile not suggesting that any complaint has been made, I am asking whether the Minister thinks it is reasonable that men who were kept here until half-past two should be told to be back here at half-past six and should get no pay for it?
§ Mr. StraussIt is one of the consequences of having an all-night Sitting. I gathered that a previous Question by the right hon. and gallant Member was directed to the suggestion that they were being paid all this time. In point of fact they were not, because they went off duty.