§ 29. Mr. Gibsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the discontent among temporary civil servants at the delay in implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission that the gratuity on retirement should be increased; and when he proposes to bring proposals before the House for its implementation.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI have received representations from the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council about this. I have already told the Staff Side that I sympathise with the merits of the case. I hope that it may be possible before very long to improve these gratuities, but I can give no undertaking.
§ Mr. GibsonIn view of the fact that a number of these men between the ages of 45 and 60 are already under notice and others are expecting notice during next year, will the right hon. Gentleman speed up his consideration? Further, may I ask that, when he introduces the Bill which I understand is necessary to legalise these recommendations, he will make it retrospective to these men in the same way as the police award has just been made retrospective?
§ Mr. MacmillanI will certainly take all that into account.