§ Mr. CLIMIEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that an application has been made on behalf of the messengers, etc., employed in Government Departments for a conference with the Treasury on the rates of pay paid to messengers, etc.; that this application has been refused and, as a result, a considerable amount of discontent and dissatisfaction exists amongst these workers; and if he will arrange that a conference to discuss the claims made will be held immediately?
Mr. GRAHAMThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have requested the applicants to furnish in writing the evidence which they consider indicates that outside rates of wages justify the increases in remuneration which they claim. Having regard to the 2139W multitude of considerations involved, I regard this evidence as an essential preliminary to any oral discussion.