HC Deb 23 January 1951 vol 483 cc27-8
49. Mrs. Castle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in carrying out the recommendations of the Chorley Committee on higher Civil Service remuneration, he will give an undertaking that he will not worsen the relative position of certain classes of the Civil Service, such as the museum grade.

Mr. Gaitskell

The increases recommended by the Chorley Committee were not the same either absolutely or propor- tionately at all the salary levels concerned and therefore involved some changes in the relative position of one level compared with another. But the same improvements have been given to officers previously drawing the same rates of remuneration.

Mrs. Castle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that assistant keepers in the museum grade have recently been refused a salary increase given to other civil servants of equivalent rank, and does he not think that it is particularly bad in Festival year to give the impression that we do not attach great importance to the work done in our galleries and museums?

Mr. Gaitskell

I do not think that the hon. Lady should draw that special deduction. If she will let me have particulars of the case which she has in mind, I will look into it.