§ Mr. GUYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the estimated additional cost in the current financial year and in the financial year 1936–37 of increasing the increments, as from 1st July, 1935, of all women civil servants in common classes in non-industrial establishments at the rates received by men in these classes, provided that women were placed on the minimum of the men's scale where this is greater than their present salary, and that women who have been on the maximum of their scale for three years were granted an immediate increment on the men's scale of the same class?
§ Mr. COOPERBefore a reliable estimate on the lines suggested could be framed, it would be necessary to ascertain the present salary etc. of each of the women concerned. My hon. Friend will, I feel, agree with me that the expenditure of the considerable amount of time and labour involved in the collection of such data for the thousands of women in question, would be difficult to justify.