§ 31. Mr. SkinnerTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will now end the system of clocking on and off for workers in and around the House.
§ Mr. SkinnerIt is a scandal that some of the lowest paid people in this building—canteen workers—have to clock on, while Ministers are carted in chauffeur-driven cars in order to come here to vote. Those canteen workers earn £100 a week, and they can lose £7 a time for being a few minutes late. At night when they knock off, if the House finishes straight after a 10 o'clock vote those people, many of them women, are turned out without a chance to go home in a taxi while Ministers are carted from one oak-panelled study to the next. The Government talk about a classless society and we have citizens charters coming out of every Minister's earholes, yet those people are treated like chattels. Get something done!
§ Mr. BeithThe time recording system is necessary to establish overtime payments correctly and it is used by every member of the Refreshment Department up to and including the Director of Catering.
§ Mr. SkinnerThe lowest paid.
§ Mr. BeithThe hon. Gentleman gives a misleading account of the rates of pay provided. He should also take account of the fact that transport is provided for late sittings of the House——
§ Mr. SkinnerNot at 10 o'clock.
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman has asked his question. Let us hear Mr. Beith.
§ Mr. BeithI know of no representations from unions representing the staff that the system of time recording should be abolished.