§ Sir R. Glynasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now take steps to effect the most drastic economy in salaries and wages; what justification exists under present war conditions to pay a special rate of danger pay to contractors' labourers working in certain areas; whether the double rate of pay for Sunday work in Government establishments employing civilian labour is to be continued when service ratings and other ranks have no such increase for doing, in many cases, the same work; how far the Trades Union Council are agreeable to the revision of such rates and conditions; and, if not agreeable, whether the matter will be considered by an appropriate Treasury Committee?
§ Mr. BevinI have been asked to reply. The wages paid in Government establishments and on Government contracts are settled in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution of this House and are based generally on those agreed upon between organisations of employers and employed in the industries concerned. In accordance with the advice of the National Joint Advisory Council, which is constituted of representatives of the British Employers' Confederation and of the Trades Union Congress the policy of the Government is846W to continue the settlement of wages and working conditions by the joint machinery in the various industries subject, under the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, to the reference of disputes to arbitration.