Mr. DUNCANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that an application has been made to the Admiralty for an increase in the wages of pensioner messengers, and that the Admiralty have replied stating that as the 1559W wages of these messengers are based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service the question is now one for the consideration of the Treasury; whether he is aware that since the War the only increase these men have had in pay amounts to 3s. per week, whilst the Committee on Production have given awards, based on the increased cost of living only, amounting to 12s. per week; and whether he will make inquiry into this matter, with a view to taking such action as will enable these men to receive an advance in wages equivalent to that given to other industrial workers throughout the country?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The pensioner messengers have, since the War, received not only the increase of 3s. a week referred to by the hon. Member but a war bonus of 4s. a week, which was granted to the Civil Service generally. I am not prepared to admit that the wages of these messengers should be fixed solely by reference to those paid to industrial workers, but I understand that the Conciliation and Arbitration Board has before it a general application for an increase in the Civil Service war bonus and the claims of the pensioner messengers will, no doubt, be considered by the Board along with those of other classes.