HC Deb 07 March 1956 vol 549 cc2101-3
46. Mr. K. Thompson

asked the Lord Privy Seal if his attention has been drawn to the salaries being offered by the Atomic Energy Authority for secretarial appointments at Risley, Lancashire; if he is aware that these salaries are substantially larger than those obtaining locally for comparable work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The general lines to be followed by the Atomic Energy Authority in its staffing policy are laid down in the White Paper of November, 1953 (Cmd. 8986)—"The Future Organisation of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Project." So far as my noble Friend is aware, the Authority is acting in strict accordance with these principles.

Mr. Thompson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great indignation on Merseyside over the extravagant and unnecessarily high salaries offered to secretarial assistants in Risley, Lancashire, including salaries amounting to £893 a year for typists who can do a hundred words a minute shorthand and forty words a minute typing, together with a five-day week, thirty days' annual leave and a pension scheme; and that this makes it extremely difficult for ordinary commercial houses to get staff?

Mr. Butler

I am aware that certain representations have been made. I am also aware that the general policy follows paragraph 18 of the Appendix to the White Paper to which I have referred and to which I would draw the attention of hon. Members, as that is the policy with regard to salary scales which is being generally followed.

Mr. Callaghan

Is the Lord Privy Seal aware that there is a growing volume of criticism about a certain looseness regarding both financial and staffing arrangements in these establishments? What check has he over the arrangements which are made?

Mr. Butler

The check is exercised by the knowledge that it is brought to the attention of my noble Friend. Naturally, my noble Friend will pay attention to any points raised in this House in regard to matters connected with the payment of salaries and to the attitude adopted by hon. Members. Further than that I cannot go today.

Mr. Callaghan

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can inquire into the administrative checks that take place regarding staffing arrangements, because I can assure him that there is a lot of criticism about them? It is important, is it not, that the House and the country should be satisfied that there is no looseness in these arrangements?

Mr. Butler

There are various technical matters into which I could go in relation to the status of some of these private secretaries, and in relation to the comparison with the Civil Service grades to which they correspond, but I think it would be a pity to go into such detail in the course of question and answer. I think I should do better to give the general answer to the hon. Gentleman that I will take up the matter with my noble Friend.

Mr. Usborne

Is it not also the fact that the Atomic Energy Authority is absorbing a far too high proportion of our young scientists, and in this way depriving industry of the services of these men?

Mr. Butler

The race for scientists is pretty general. We notice it as between the schools and industry and as between industry and such authorities as the Atomic Energy Authority. Therefore I should not like to give a general answer to that question.

Dr. Summerskill

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is a great shortage of workers of the kind which the hon. Gentleman described, and that today these women are not prepared to work for a low rate of pay?

Mr. Butler

I do not think that any woman likes to work for anything less than she thinks she is worth.

Mr. Thompson

In view of the importance of this matter, may I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he would persuade his noble Friend to consult chambers of commerce and similar organisations in the area and find out what are the usual rates of pay for this kind of work?

Mr. Butler

We have information as to the views of the bodies in the area, but I will certainly take the opportunity to draw the attention of my noble Friend to the views of the chambers of commerce.