HC Deb 21 June 1960 vol 625 cc199-200
11. Mr. H. Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received, since his recently announced increase in inducement pay, from the European Civil Servants Associations of Tanganyika and Uganda; and what reply he has given to them.

19. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has made to the deputations of civil servants from various East African territories, for which he is responsible, who have expressed discontent with their pay and prospects; and what further action he intends to take.

Mr. Iain Macleod

After consultation with the Associations, the Governments of Tanganyika and Uganda decided not to proceed with the offer of the immediate award to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 24th May. Since then delegations from the Associations have been received by myself and by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State and have stressed the urgent need for an increase in salaries. I am glad to say all the East African Governments and the East Africa High Commission have agreed that the Salaries Commission should be asked, as a matter of first priority, to examine and make recommendations regarding the need for interim awards where these appear to be justified.

Mr. Clark

I should like to thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, and to ask him to see that the Salaries Commission works with the utmost expedition, and to remind him that when the Lidbury Commission sat in 1954 it was two years from the date of its appointment to the date when the salaries were actually paid to the officials.

Mr. Macleod

Yes. I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be a real sense of urgency in this. The whole report should be completed before the end of this year, and the interim report, of course, considerably earlier.

Mr. Callaghan

Will there be any appeal from the Salaries Commission's decision if the staff are still dissatisfied?

Mr. Macleod

In a sense, no doubt: appeal to me. These matters will come to me for decision.

Mr. Callaghan

Arbitration?