§ 39. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Lord President of the Council when the investigation by the Catering Sub-Committee into the salary scale of employees will be completed; and whether the wages of the staff of the Refreshment Department will be increased on 20th January, 1967.
§ Mr. CrossmanI am not yet able to say when the Catering Sub-Committee will complete its investigations into the salary scales of staff of the Refreshment Department because the investigations are part of the more general review which is being conducted into the finances of the Department. In keeping under constant review the level of the salaries and wages of all members of the staff, the Sub-Committee must take into account the Government's prices and incomes policy.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWould the Lord President ask the Sub-Committee to speed up this investigation? Would he not agree that this House should give an increase in remuneration to its staff, who are serving the Members extremely devotedly?
§ Mr. CrossmanI answered the second part of that supplementary question by explaining that the Sub-Committee is bound to take into account the Government's prices and incomes policy. I assure the hon. Gentleman, in answer to the first part, that the investigation will certainly be accelerated.
§ Mrs. BraddockIs my right hon. Friend aware that only last Monday a new manager, Mr. Mitchell, took control of the Catering Department, that the Committee would very much like to have a short period at any rate while the new manager gets familiar with the position and that we would prefer not to be bombarded with Questions, which, particularly at this stage, only make his position very much more awkward?
§ Mr. CrossmanI am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding the House of that. I am sure that we all wish the new manager success in his work.