HC Deb 20 June 1918 vol 107 cc516-7W
Mr. WILES

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why it is proposed to introduce into the Treasury a new grade of temporary women clerks at £140 to £180 per annum; and why these salaries are being paid in view of the fact that the old staff of first-class skilled clerks receive fixed salaries of £140 and that second class clerks' salaries stop at £110 per annum?

Mr. BALDWIN

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that a new grade of temporary women clerks has recently been introduced. The higher grade to which he presumably refers was instituted in 1915, and is employed on junior administrative work of a different character to that in which the permanent classes of women clerks are trained. Their rates of remuneration are, therefore, not necessarily comparable, but the difference is not by any means so large as suggested, the rates of pay of the temporary higher grade women clerks being inclusive of overtime and of war bonus.

Mr. WILES

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the advisability of raising the salaries of permanent women clerks, as, in addition to their pre-war salaries, they have only been granted a war bonus of about 20 per cent., having regard to the enormous increase in the cost of living and the fact that other Government Departments pay women much higher remuneration?

Mr. BALDWIN

The permanent women clerks have received the full war bonus awarded to them and to other classes of Civil servants by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board, which has now before it a further claim for an increase of war bonus. I see no ground for granting exceptional treatment to this class.

Sir W. DICKINSON

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in September, 1917, a claim was sent in by women clerks in the Post Office for equality of remuneration with men doing similar work; that the petitioners were informed that the claim was one that must be decided by the War Cabinet; whether the War Cabinet gave any decision, and, if so, what decision; whether he is aware that an amended claim for a revision of the scale of pay of women clerks was sent in on 24th April, 1918; whether the Conciliation and Arbitration Board has applied to the Treasury for permission to hear this claim; and, if so, whether the Treasury has granted such permission?

Mr. BALDWIN

I assume that the hon. Member refers to a claim submitted by the Federation of Women Civil Servants on the date named. I understand that the petitioners were informed by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board that the War Cabinet had decided that the question whether women should be paid the same remuneration as men engaged on similar duties was one of policy which was not within the competence of the Board for decision by way of conciliation or arbitration. With regard to the last part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of the 19th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for East Down.