HC Deb 08 April 1959 vol 603 cc169-70
4. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence the difference between the grade and status of Air Ministry messengers employed to carry top secret documents by train and those of similar couriers employed by the Admiralty and the War Office.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

I have been asked to reply.

The Admiralty uses couriers for these duties, the War Office uses soldiers, and the Air Ministry civilian messengers.

Mr. de Freitas

Is it not a fact that Air Ministry messengers are industrial employees and thus have much lower pay and poorer conditions than their colleagues in other Departments? Would it not be fairer if the Air Ministry couriers were graded and paid on the same basis as those in the other Services?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

This matter has been carefully looked at. I assure the hon. Member that we do not think that there is scope for uniformity in this matter, because the three couriers do not carry out identical jobs. The Admiralty couriers are responsible for carrying classified material for dispatch by sea, and they carry to the port of embarkation not only for the Admiralty but for all Government Departments. There are also differences in the Air Ministry courier service and the jobs undertaken for the War Office.