HC Deb 02 May 1957 vol 569 cc361-2
38. Dr. King

asked the Secretary to the Treasury on what date the Civil Service Union first presented its claim on behalf of the messenger and paper-keeper grades for improvements in the pay and conditions of these grades; when his Department replied to this claim; and whether he now proposes to concede the claim.

Mr. Powell

The Treasury received the Civil Service Union's claim on 26th July, 1956, and on 30th July telephoned the Union to arrange a meeting, which was fixed for 18th September. An interim settlement retrospective to 1st October, 1956, has now been reached, subject to clarification of certain details.

Dr. King

At a time like the present, when the Government and all of us are urging improvements in industry in negotiating machinery, does not the Financial Secretary think that it is time that the Government put their own house in order? Is he aware that, according to the Civil Service Union, these men, who received no benefit from the Royal Commission, put in a modest claim. They had to wait seven months for a reply, and that reply offered the lowest-grade men, earning £7 10s. a week, an increase of only 1s.? Is he also aware that he is shaking the faith of a very loyal body of men in the Civil Service Union?

Mr. Powell

I do not believe that the time that has elapsed since this claim was first made up to the present has in any material way prejudiced the settlement.