HC Deb 29 November 1956 vol 561 cc567-9
37. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Labour when the new pay structure of the Factory Inspectorate is to come into being; and whether the maximum salary for district inspectors will be at the same level as that which appertains in the works group.

Mr. Iain Macleod

New scales of pay for the Factory Inspectorate came into force on 31st October last, with effect from 1st April last.

The answer to the last part of the Question is, "No, Sir."

Dr. Stross

Does not the Minister agree that if the maximum salary scale for the district inspectors is not as high as that which is paid for the works group, we are not likely, as time goes by, to have these key posts filled by men who are qualified in science and engineering, because such men will not enter the service in the first place?

Mr. Macleod

In his Question, the hon. Member is comparing the top range of the senior grade of the works group with the salaries of the district inspectorate, and of course, as he knows, the work of the general inspectorate is not exclusively of a professional character.

38. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an estimate of the annual increase of salary required for the Factory Inspectorate which would attract approximately 10 recruits each year who are qualified in science or engineering.

Mr. Iain Macleod

It is not possible to give any such estimate.

Dr. Stross

Will the Minister agree that if the entry grades had an increase of approximately £100 a year, they would then easily compete with other Departments for recruits of the type mentioned in the Question, and that as the years went by we should at least get back to the standard which we had in 1938, when two-thirds of the men were so qualified?

Mr. Macleod

I do not think it is possible to be as precise as the hon. Member seeks to be. Even on the pre-Priestley scales, from a continuing competition in August, 1955, we have had seven graduates with qualifications in science and engineering. It may well be that with the new scales we shall do a little better.

Mr. Lee

Can the Minister tell us whether there has been any increase in the numbers entering the Inspectorate since the announcement of the new scales?

Mr. Macleod

No. It is too early to say that, but I will keep the hon. Member informed.

39. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give consideration to establishing a system of merit awards for factory inspectors, similar to the awards available to medical consult ants.

Mr. Iain Macleod

No, Sir. I see no reason for treating the Factory Inspectorate differently from other parts of the Civil Service in this respect.

Dr. Stross

In the situation which now rests on the Minister, men who are fully qualified and who have to assume very great responsibility have salary scales lower than those of men doing similar work with similar types of responsibility. In those circumstances, does not the Minister think that this incentive might have been most helpful? Will he not give it further consideration?

Mr. Macleod

I think that the system of merit awards is an extremely interesting departure, and it may be that there are other places in the social services where it would be appropriate, but I cannot see that it would be appropriate for any part of the Civil Service, where the ordinary reward for merit is promotion.