HC Deb 17 March 1953 vol 512 c2047
19. Miss Ward

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the wages of women in industry have risen at the last convenient date in greater proportion than men's, but women's rates in the Civil Service, the teaching profession and local government service have risen in equal proportions, what steps he is taking to ensure that rising charges do not impose a heavier burden on women in the latter categories.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Although in 1952 women's wages in industry increased, on average, more than men's, the differentials between the wages of men and women are still generally greater in industry than in national and local government service and in the teaching profession. No such special steps as my hon. Friend suggests are, therefore, called for.

Miss Ward

May I ask my right hon. Friend why the increases in coal and transport charges should be borne in greater measure by women in his employ than by men? Is it not about time he did something for his own employees, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and followed the good lead given by private industry?

Mr. Butler

In fact, as I have tried to indicate in my answer, the incidence of this difference is exactly the other way round.