§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the position of the civilian waiters and batmen at the Royal Air Force seaplane station, Mount Batten, Plymouth; whether he is aware 1460W that, owing to the cost of living, these men lost 1s. 3d. per week in September last, and that, as a result of a further reduction of 2s. 7d. per week, their wages are now £1 19s. 7d. per week; and whether, seeing that their work is uninsurable and that their working week consists of seven days, including one night in four and until 8.30 p.m. every other night, he can see whether an increase of wages can be made?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe reductions in the wages of the employés in question are a consequence of the fall in the cost-of-living index figure, which has affected the remuneration of all employés in the Civil Service who are paid on a basic rate plus bonus. It is, therefore, regretted that it is not possible to give special treatment to the employés at Mount Batten. It may be added that the wages stated in the question are the net figures after deduction of the contribution under the National Health Insurance Acts.