HC Deb 16 May 1957 vol 570 cc560-1
29 and 31. Mr. Beswick

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) when he expects to place non-industrial civil servants employed at London Airport on the same basis, for salary purposes, as industrial civil servants and pay them at London rates;

(2) if he will give the facts about comparative living costs which have led to the payment of a lower salary to non-industrial civil servants working in Uxbridge than those of a similar grade working in Hammersmith; and when he expects to revise the present position with regard to provincial differential.

Mr. Powell

Under the present arrangements civil servants are paid at London rates if they are employed within twelve miles of Charing Cross. A provisional agreement just reached on the National Whitley Council and, subject to ratification, by the constituent Associations on the National Staff Side, provides, amongst other things, that from 1st January, 1958, the London rate will be payable to staff employed within sixteen miles of Charing Cross. This includes London Airport and Uxbridge.

Mr. Beswick

May I take the opportunity of thanking the Financial Secretary for that statement and of assuring him that now that these protracted negotiations have come to a successful conclusion he will have pleased a lot of people in my constituency?