§ Mr. GRUNDYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will make a statement before the House rises as to the position of the worse-paid entrants into the permanent Civil Service from the temporary ranks, the writing assistants who were excluded from the terms of reference of the Southborough Committee on the understanding that they would be dealt with equally fairly and expeditiously by Whitley machinery; and whether the statement will be made in such a form that if the position is not satisfactory the Southborough Committee will be empowered to deal with this question before the wage cuts in September take place, which will reduce the average wage of those concerned below 39s. a week?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe question of the remuneration of writing assistants, including those who were appointed from the special limited competitions for temporary staffs, is under 1291W discussion on a committee of the National Whitley Council. I am unable to reconsider the decision that this question is not one proper for the consideration of the Southborough Committee.