HC Deb 26 February 1952 vol 496 cc115-6W
48. Mr. Steward

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he agreed to the recent increase of pay in the Civil Service, amounting to £30,000,000, when, in view of the inflationary situation, it is the policy of the Government to attempt the stabilisation of wages and prices.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The recent settlement follows general increases in wage rates outside the Civil Service. The general policy of the Civil Service remuneration, enunciated by the Royal Commission on the Civil Service (1929–32) and followed by successive Governments, is to relate Civil Service remuneration to remuneration outside the Civil Service. The Government accordingly felt it right to make the advances in Civil Service rates to which the hon. Member refers.

I fully agree with my hon. Friend that it is vital that all members of the community should exercise the utmost restraint in their demands upon the national economy in the critical months ahead.