HC Deb 19 July 1956 vol 556 c1358
10. Mr. Beswick

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that by virtue of the fact that the headquarters of the Customs and Excise officers stationed at London Airport has been moved from Adelaide House to the airport, these officers are held not to be qualified for the London scale of pay; and if, in view of the fact that these officers still live in the same houses and incur the same expenses irrespective of where the headquarters are situated, he will have this matter re-examined.

Mr. H. Brooke

The setting up of the new Customs headquarters at London Airport in 1951 had no effect on the salaries of the Customs and Excise officers then permanently stationed there. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

Mr. Beswick

While it is true that it had no effect at the time, it had an effect six months afterwards, when the differential pay agreement came into effect. In view of the fact that the change of headquarters means a salary cut to these officers, will the Financial Secretary look into the matter again and either abolish the controversial differentiation or put the headquarters back into London?

Mr. Brooke

It was not six months but five months afterwards that there was a reclassification, which did not lower the rate of pay but raised it.