HC Deb 27 March 1956 vol 550 cc1963-4
40. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the resentment felt by the Institution of Professional Civil Servants at the failure of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service to make recommendations to improve the conditions of pay of the technical classes in the Civil Service; that anomalies result from this failure; and whether he will, nevertheless, take steps to remove the anomalies.

Mr. H. Brooke

The Royal Commission made suggestions for an improvement in the pay of the technical works, engineering and allied classes, but indicated that a thorough review would require a prolonged specialised study which it could not undertake. The Institution of Professional Civil Servants has presented a pay claim, which is under consideration.

Mr. Fletcher

Does the Minister not think that it would be very desirable for this claim to be considered as soon as possible, in view of the professed desire of the Government to improve the status and scope of the technical classes?

Mr. Brooke

Perhaps I did not make it sufficiently clear that the claim is under consideration. A delegation from the I.P.C.S. has already been received by the Treasury. In the circumstances, I think it would be wrong for me to say anything more at this stage.

Mr. Shinwell

While I do not wish to prevent civil servants from obtaining their due reward, is it not about time that something was done for another impoverished class—namely, Members of Parliament.