HC Deb 23 January 1951 vol 483 c27
47. Miss Ward

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the results of the deputation he received on the subject of equal pay for equal work in the Civil Service.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Gaitskell)

I am considering the representations made by the deputation, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Miss Ward

Would I be right in assuming that at that time the right hon. Gentleman believed that there was a case, such as the one put forward by the Civil Service Association, to consider?

Mr. Gaitskell

The Government accepted, some time ago, the principle of equal pay, but took the line that it must depend on the economic position as to when it should be introduced. The economic position is not very easy.

Miss Burton

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, in view of the large number of women who will be called upon to help in the rearmament programme, it is not essential that the Government should reach a decision on this matter at an early date?

Mr. Gaitskell

I do not think that question has very much relevance to the Civil Service.