§ Mr. HODGEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the lower paid clerks engaged in the work of the Board at the various branches of the Labour Exchanges have suffered as a result of the rise in the cost of food and other necessities; and will he consider the granting of a War bonus to them?
Mr. RUNCIMANRepresentations have been made to me in regard to the grades of officers referred to by my hon. Friend. It is, of course, impossible to consider their position apart from that of the lower grades of the Civil Service generally, and I am unable to do more than to promise my hon. Friend that the position of the clerks in the Labour Exchange service will not be lost sight of in any general consideration of the matter by His Majesty's Government.