HC Deb 17 April 1956 vol 551 cc842-3
57 and 58. Mr. Beswick

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) when he expects to complete the review of the boundaries of the present areas of London, intermediate and provincial, into which the country is divided, for salary purposes of non-industrial civil servants;

(2) in view of the special accommodation difficulties, and consequent expense, to which civil servants employed at London Airport are liable, if he will consider bringing that area within the London boundaries for salary purposes, and thus bring the non-industrial civil servants into line with the industrial civil servants employed at the airport.

Mr. H. Brooke

The boundaries of these areas are covered by an agreement with the National Whitley Council. If the staff side ask for a review, their proposals will be considered through the normal machinery.

Mr. Beswick

Is it not the fact that requests have been made and, further, that in the case of the industrial civil servants the cost of living around London Airport is accepted as being as high as in the London area? Will the right hon. Gentleman therefore look into the matter as one of urgency?

Mr. Brooke

I was not aware of any request being made by the staff side. If a request for a review is made, certainly it will be considered.