§ Mr. DUNCANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that discontent has obtained for many months among the warders of Hampton Court Palace owing to a few of them receiving extra payment for the sale of catalogues and tickets to the general public while others doing the same work receive no extra payment; and whether, in view of the fact that to grant this extra payment to all warders at Hampton Court Palace would not involve the Treasury in any extra expense, he will inquire into the claim of the men that they shall all be granted it?
§ Sir J. BAIRD:The remuneration of the Warders at Hampton Court Palace is based upon an Agreement signed, after full discussion of all points in dispute, by representatives of the staff in February, 1921, the Agreement itself stating that it is a full settlement, and containing no reference to additional payment for the sale of catalogues and tickets, which was one of the duties the Warders were then required to perform. Before August, 1913, the Warders were granted a commission on the sale of catalogues, and on the abolition of this privilege, which was strongly advocated by the Public Accounts Committee, at that date, those then serving were granted compensation of 4s. 6d. a week, all Warders subsequently appointed being required to sell catalogues and tickets as part of their ordinary duties. I cannot admit that Warders appointed since that date have any claim to be similarly compensated for a privilege they never enjoyed.
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