asked the Minister of Pensions in what area offices, after amalgamation of two areas, there has been a diminution of work; whether he is aware that there has, on the contrary, been an increase in the duties and responsibilities of the principal area officers; and why these officers have only received an increment of £50 in lieu of the increment of £100 that should be paid in accordance with the scale approved by the Treasury?

In all amalgamations of area staffs, the work in the head office of the combined area is greater than it was in that office when it was a separate unit, though in some instances the increase will probably be temporary only. As I indicated to the hon. Member for Peckham on the 16th instant, there is need for review of the rates of salary paid and the principles on which the salaries of chief area officers have been fixed. This need has been taken into consideration in determining the increase of salary to be given to certain chief area officers recently appointed to take charge of amalgamated areas.