§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is a fact that the majority of the thirty writers recently discharged from the Local Government Board Office were employed for several years on clerical duties of a nature more responsible than mere copying; whether vacancies created by the discharge of these writers have been filled up by Upper Division Clerks with salaries commencing at £200 per annum, and Lower Division Clerks with salaries ranging from £95 upwards; whether some of the Lower Division Clerks employed by the Board have received duty pay of £30 and £50 respectively per annum for performing precisely the same duties as those performed by writers at 10d. an hour; whether this change will result in an immediate increase in the Estimate for the Department; and, whether, in view of the writers having performed duties of a superior and responsible nature for several years, he will propose to the Treasury that some compensation be given to those whose places have now been filled by Established Clerks?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLIn accordance with a scheme for the reorganization of the clerical staff of the Local Government Department, which was rendered necessary by the large amount and character of the work devolving on the officers of the Board, the number of writers has been considerably reduced, and an addition has been made to the number of Lower Division Clerks. Many of the writers had been employed on work other than mere copying, and some on duties which properly belonged to Clerks of the Lower Division. The most efficient of the writers have been retained. In no case has a vacancy 618 caused by the discharge of a writer been filled up by the appointment of an Upper Division Clerk. As already stated, Lower Division Clerks have in some instances taken the place of writers, and the Board believe that this change will be beneficial to the Department. No Lower Division Clerks are receiving duty pay for the same duties as those performed by writers at 10d. an hour. It is not anticipated that the reorganization will occasion any increase in the Estimates for the present financial year. The Board understand that the regulations under which the writers are employed expressly provide that no service shall confer any claim of superannuation or compensation allowance.