asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent civil servants and Government employees are being paid part or all of their salaries or wages whilst they are serving in the Armed Forces under the National Service Acts; how many are being so paid; what was the total cost of this during 1946–47; and what is the estimated cost for 1947–48.

As a wartime arrangement, established civil servants and un-established staffs, both industrial and non-industrial, with the necessary qualifying service, called up for service with H.M. Forces or allowed to serve therein on temporary arrangements, whose civil pay exceeds their service emoluments, are eligible to receive the balance of their civil pay to bring up their total emoluments, Service and civil, to the level of their civil pay. The question of terminating this arrangement is under consideration. Whilst no detailed record is held centrally, it is estimated that about 16,000 non- industrial civil servants were receiving balance of civil pay at 1st January, 1947. No information is readily available in the case of industrial staff. The total cost involved in 1946–47 was of the order of £2 million, whilst the corresponding cost for 1947–48 is estimated at approximately £400,000.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a further statement about the future when he has considered this matter?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any regulation governing this practice, or whether it is simply an arrangement?

It is an arrangement of some long standing and, without notice, I could not commit myself to whether it is an arrangement within the Treasury or whether there is some Act of Parliament which deals with it. I will ascertain and communicate with the hon. and gallant Gentleman.