§ 14. Mr. Blakerasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many men and women, respectively, are employed as car drivers by his Department; and what are their respective rates of pay.
§ Mr. Mellish152 male and 170 female drivers. Their rates of pay are 277s. per week in London and 267s. per week in the provinces.
§ Mr. BlakerIs the Minister aware that the figures for 1960 show that the total for the whole country—both men and women—was 253? How does he account for the latest figures, which, on a rough calculation, I make to be 70 extra drivers since that time?
§ Mr. MellishI do not know about the 1960 figures. The present total is 322, which is accounted for by the fact that the needs of Government today—and this applied when his own party was in power in 1964—are that much greater than they were in 1960.
§ Mr. C. PannellAlthough my right hon. Friend will be aware, may I ask him whether he is aware that when we took over in 1964 we had a very hard look at this business? Is he also aware that there are no abuses under the present Government that were not in existence under the previous one? Will he also note that the hon. Member who asked the Question was rather careful to start with the figure for 1960? He should have a look at the figures between 1960 and 1964.
§ Mr. MellishI am obliged to my right hon. Friend. I was hoping that I should be complimented on the fact that at any rate in the case of drivers we pay the same rates to the ladies as to the men.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkIs not the hard truth simply that there are far too many Ministers—that almost one-third of the party opposite are Ministers?
§ Mr. MellishSpeaking for myself, no, Sir.