§ 31. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has withdrawn entitlement to first-class travel for chief preventive officers in the Customs' Water-guard Service.
§ Mr. DiamondAs explained in my hon. and learned Friend's letter of 22nd September to the hon. Member, this was a consequential effect of a pay agreement reached earlier this year, and the 819 arrangements conform with the standing conventions in the Civil Service as a whole.
§ Mr. RidsdaleBut surely there was no need to take away the privilege of first-class travel from those who had it?
§ Mr. DiamondI can only repeat—and the hon. Gentleman will recollect this from his own experience—in the Civil Service these matters are consequential upon salary levels.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.