HC Deb 19 May 1919 vol 116 cc48-9W
Mr. CLYNES

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in laying down scales of pay for the Civil Service, the usual annual increments in such scales are provided mainly in view of the fact that as a Civil servant's experience and knowledge of Government work increase the value of his services to the State is correspondingly enhanced?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I cannot say for what reason the system of fixed annual or periodical increments was instituted, and it is not universal in the Civil Service. But the fact that it has existed for a long time and on a large scale would make its abolition now very difficult.