SCENE IN COMMONS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11452, 28 February 1931, Page 5

SCENE IN COMMONS

EXCITED LABORI'TE ON CIVIL SERVICE CUTS. fUP-A. bv Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 26. A scene arose in the House cf Commons over the 10 per cent, cut; in the civil servants’ cost of living bonus, resulting in the suspension of Mr. TV. J. Brown (Lab.), who, pointing out. that- 300,000 members of the Civil Service were affected, demanded that the reduction should not apply to those earning below £4 a week. He remained standing while the Speaker asked him to sit- down. Mr. Snowden pointed out t-hat the cut- did not affect the basic wage, but only the bonus, which was reducible with the cost- of living index figure, in accordance with the plan, operating for the -past decade, Mr. Brown was named for disobeying the Speaker, and suspended, by *296 votes to 17, back bench Laborites forcing a division. Mr. .F, A. Macquisten raised ter by suggesting that members desiring suspension should inform the Speaker in advance. * Air. Brown subsequently " made a statement- that he had no apology to offer eseept- to the Speaker, who had been uniformly courteous. He was bound to protest- against the wage cuts, which had reduced wages aa follows: From 45s in 1921 to 2Ss Id in 1930, and to 26s 5d in 1931. Other wages were as follows in 1921, 1830, and 1931 respectively: 535/ 335, and 31s: 79s 6d, 49s fid: and 46s 6d; 110 s od, 70s 9d, and 66s lid; £345 a Year. £226, and £215: £590, £414, and £396. «