§ 33. Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to rectify the anomalous position whereby part-time lady cleaners in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Chatham, are paid at lower hourly rates than full-time lady cleaners doing identical work.
§ Dr. David OwenYes, Sir. The recent report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on pay and conditions in the industrial Civil Service drew attention to a wide range of similar duties which are undertaken by industrial and non-industrial civil servants with differing rates of pay.
§ Mr. BurdenIs that a guarantee that the rates of pay of the part-time cleaners will be brought into line with those of the full-time cleaners? There is at the moment a very considerable differential.
§ Dr. OwenThe hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that there is a differential. The proper negotiating procedure is through the Whitley Council. If these negotiations take place, some modification or change may be made.