HC Deb 03 June 1964 vol 695 cc1077-8
15. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the findings of the internal working party which was appointed to review the functions, methods of working, organisation and staffing of the Directorate of Technical Costs, and which has now reported.

Mr. J. Amery

This working party has not yet reported.

Mr. Lubbock

While the working party is considering these questions, has the Minister got nothing to say about the fact that people in the Technical Costs Department start at £712 per year and that less than half a dozen among the 300 employed in that Department have an engineering qualification? Does he not consider this an urgent enough matter on which to make a decision now?

Mr. Amery

Although the hon. Member's observations might form part of a separate Question, it would, in any case, be inappropriate for me to deal with pay and salary scales and similar matters until we have received the report of the working party and, preferably, also the report of Sir John Lang.

Mr. Diamond

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to receive those two reports?

Mr. Amery

I cannot give a date when I will receive the internal departmental report. That is a departmental matter. There is a Question down about the Lang report with which I shall be dealing presently.