§ Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Pensions Minister whether, from 6th October, 1919, the rate of pay for men on examining boards has been increased by -50 per cent, to £1 11s. 6d. per session, whilst the pay of assessors and other full-time men paid on sessional basis remains at £1 1s. per session; whether a part-time man working at the new rate of two sessions a day, or four days a week, makes fifty-two guineas per annum more than a full-time man who works six days a week at the present rate; and, if so, whether he will take steps to see that more equitable treatment is meted out to the minority of the medical staff of the Ministry of Pensions?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the conditions of work of the member of the board and of the assessor are very different. It is not inequitable that the difference between occasional employment which cannot be counted upon from day to day and regular and full employment which can be counted upon, pro-60W vided the officer's work is satisfactory, should be marked by a difference in the rate of payment. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering whether, in view of the greatly enhanced cost of living, some increase of the scale of payment of the assessors should be made.