§ 29. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will authorise an increase in the salaries of the senior staff of the Public Trustee Office.
§ The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)No, Sir. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the 907 salaries of the Public Trustee and his most senior staff were increased substantially as from 1st August, 1963.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltI do not wish to enter into the discussions between the Lord Chancellor and my hon. Friend the Member for Solihull (Sir M. Lindsay); but may I ask whether my right hon. and learned Friend would agree that to get the best results we must pay salaries which are more than a little over half of those paid by large private institutions?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs my hon. Friend says, one does not wish to get involved in a matter which is the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor. But the salaries of the senior members of the Public Trustee Office were very substantially increased only a few months ago and I do not think that any further increase is appropriate at present.
§ Mr. BenceWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform the House of the percentage of the increase given?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIt varies, but it followed the recommendation of the Franks Committee on the Higher Civil Service. Over a period of between four and four-and-a-half years it averaged about 4 per cent. per annum.