§ Mr. J. JONESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the case of the commissionaires employed in the British Museum was waiting to be dealt with by the Civil Service Arbitration Hoard when the commissionaires received through the departmental council a definite offer which induced them to withdraw their case from arbitration, and that three months later the Treasury made an arrangement with the Corps of Commissionaires that deprived the men of that which had induced them to withdraw their case from arbitration, namely, severance of their connection with the Corps Commissionaires; whether other cases have occurred where offers have been made through a departmental council and then withdrawn without the council being notified; whether the 2s. per month paid to the Corps of Commissionaires is paid under an award made by the Civil Service Arbitration Board arising out of a claim made by the Government Buildings Employés Association on behalf of the commissionaires employed in the museum, and not merely an arrangement between the trustees of the museum and the Corps of Commissionaires; whether he is aware that these men, who are employed by the State, have been informed that they belong to a departmental class which has not been defined, and have been warned that if they sever their connection with the Corps of Commissionaires their positions in the British Museum will automatically become vacant; and whether he will have further inquiries made into the position of these men and have them placed on a recognised and regular basis?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI am not aware of any incident of the nature 729W referred to in the first part of the question. It is not the case that the Treasury made any arrangement with the Corps of Commissionaires. The only arrangement made was between the Trustees of the Corps, which had the effect of relieving the men from payments amounting to 17s. a month. 2s. a month is paid under an award of the Civil Service Arbitration Board as stated. I am aware that these men have been informed that they belong to a Departmental Class and I see no necessity for any further definition of their grading. Men joining the Corps of Commissionaires sign an undertaking that- situations obtained by them through the Corps will only be retained so long as they remain members of the Corps.