§ Mr. Alportasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the present system of determining promotions, wage rates and conditions of service for War Department civilian industrial employees; what provision is made for hearing individual complaints on these subjects by such employees; and whether he will carry out an investigation of the existing system, with a view to making its operation more equitable and efficient.
§ Mr. HeadI think that these arrangements, which have been agreed between my Department and the trade unions concerned, are satisfactory and that no special investigation is needed.
These employees may make representations to the head of the establishment on matters of local significance arising out of their employment either through the representative of their trade union direct or through the local Whitley Committee if such a committee exists: or, on questions affecting them as individuals, through their immediate superiors. Representations of a general kind, involving the wage rates or conditions of service of a grade or class as a whole, are not dealt with locally: recognised trade unions may raise these matters directly with the War Office or through the appropriate negotiating machinery.