Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to issue a week's notice of discharge to cleaners, 2097W caretakers and night watchmen employed at the various Employment Exchanges preparatory to revising the wages of these employés; whether this revision will in many cases result in a reduction of several shillings per week; whether it is the considered policy of the Department to issue notices of discharge to these employés in order to secure a reduction in the rates of wages; and whether this matter will be given further consideration before such action is taken?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Rotherhithe (Mr. Lort-Williams) yesterday, a copy of which I am sending him. It has been decided that cleaners and caretakers in Employment Exchanges shall not, as hitherto, be required to provide their own cleaning materials, and at the same time it is proposed to bring their rates of pay into line with those received by cleaners in offices of other Government Departments. In accordance with the usual practice, the staff so affected will receive formal notice of the change in the conditions of their employment. I am advised that in no case will the total emoluments of any cleaner or caretaker be reduced by more than the estimated cost of the cleaning materials provided. No change in the rates paid to night watchmen employed by the Ministry of Labour is contemplated.