§ Mr. HOGGEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) on what grounds he justifies the difference in the conditions of service of the permanent and temporary staffs, especially in the matter of holidays, seeing that the former are entitled to pension and have absolute security of tenure, while the latter live under constant anxiety as to the future;
(2) whether he is aware that the Treasury have refused even to discuss claims put forward by temporary civil servants, based upon the principle of equal pay for equal work; and whether such refusal was given on his instructions?
§ Mr. KENNEDYAs my hon. Friend has previously explained, the grading and classification of temporary civil servants do not correspond with those of the permanent staff, and the conditions of recruitment and service differ substantially. In these circumstances, my hon. Friend is satisfied that it would not be justifiable to attempt to assimilate the rates of pay, and his not prepared to re-open the agreed settlement of the remuneration of the temporary staffs which has just been reached between the latter and representatives of the Treasury, acting under his instructions.