§ Lieut.-Colonel HURSTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that whereas the lowest London minimum rate for Civil Service temporary women clerks in 1914–15 was 21s. 2d. a week, under the present Treasury proposals for reductions based upon a sliding scale the new basic minimum adult women's rate for London for similar work works out at 19s. 6d. a week, while the basic rate for temporary male clerks on similar work comes to 31s. 2d. a week; what is the justification for such differentiation in view of the carrying out by the Government of the Lytton Committee Reports involving, as this does, the dismissal of women who do not contribute to the support of others; and whether he will consider revising these proposals or whether he will allow the women's case to go to the Industrial Court before imposing the Treasury scheme?
Mr. YOUNGUnder the Treasury proposals the minimum rate payable to an adult Grade 3 temporary male clerk employed in London would be reduced to 57s. 9d. a week; the corresponding revised minimum for an adult Grade 3 temporary woman clerk would be 44s. 3d. a week. These rates are consolidated rates and do not consist of a specific basic element plus a specific bonus element. With regard to the last part of the question, it has been decided, after full consideration, that the case is not one which could suitably be referred to arbitration.