§ Mrs. Winitred Ewingasked the Minis-for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the present ways in which London-based civil servants receive moreremuneration than other civil servants; and what increases are planned.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisA London weighting allowance is paid to compensate for the higher costs incurred by staff working in London compared with elsewhere. The great majority of London civil servants are currently paid allowances of £410 a year in an inner zone and £260 a year in an outer zone. The inner zone comprises a five-mile radius from Charing Cross. The outer zone comprises the area beyond that, broadly within a radius of 18 miles from Charing Cross. London weighting is pensionable. The pre-1974 amounts of London Weighting, £228 and £110 a year respectively, are reckonable for overtime, shift disturbance allowance and other pay-related enhancements of pay. Agreement has just been reached to increase the amounts of London Weighting to £465 (inner) and £275 (outer) with effect from 1st July 1975. These amounts derive from the 1974 recommendations of the Pay Board.
In addition, most civil servants in London are conditioned to work one hourper week less than those elsewhere.