§ Colonel WEIGALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether inspectors of horses in mines only receive a salary of £175 per annum, a less amount than horsekeepers in mines; whether any application for an increase has been received; and whether it will receive favourable consideration?
§ Mr. BRACEThe horse inspectors are on a scale of salary of £125 to £175. Last year, in order to meet the increased cost of living, they were all given a special increment of £25 within their scale and are now at the maximum. They have also since been given (in accordance with the award applicable to the Civil Service generally made by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government employés) a war bonus of £36 19s. 4d. per annum. Bearing in mind that they are established Civil servants and are entitled to pension and other advantages, their remuneration compares not unfavourably with that received by head horsekeepers at large collieries. No recent application for an increase of salary has been received and as matters stand I doubt whether any grounds could be shown for their receiving more than the bonus given to all Civil servants.