HC Deb 11 April 1951 vol 486 cc1011-2
38. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who are the members of the Salaries and Adjustment Committee for the Civil Service of Antigua.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The investigation into the organisation and salaries of the Civil Service in the Leeward Islands is being undertaken by Mr. Hammond, Adviser (Special Duties) to the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies. He will, however, receive specialist advice from other members of the Comptroller's staff.

Mr. Hynd

Is my right hon. Friend certain that his information is complete? Is it not a fact that this Commission consists of two persons, Mr. Hammond and his wife? What reason is there for this peculiar set-up of a Commission consisting of a man and his wife?

Mr. Griffiths

The Commission appointed consists of just Mr. Hammond himself.

Mr. Osborne

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the salaries and the relief in the form of a cost-of-living bonus mentioned in the previous Question will be calculated on the same cost-of-living index as is used in this country?

Mr. Hynd

Has the Secretary of State seen a newspaper from Antigua, the "Workers' Voice," of 31st January, which says: The appointment of Mr. and Mrs. Hammond as Salaries and Organisation Commission has filled most civil servants with a certain degree of bewilderment."?

Mr. Griffiths

No. Mrs. Hammond is not a member of the Commission. She is doing secretarial duties, but was not appointed a member of the Commission.