§ MR. JAMES ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, considering the long periods of service of the writers or 710 copyists now being dismissed from the Out-door Department of Customs, who have for the whole time of their service been employed on permanent work, and their dismissal being from causes for which they are not responsible, it would be practicable to transfer them direct to some other Government Departments requiring the services of this class of employés, and where they, whilst making no claim to permanency of office, might reasonably expect that their employment would be of a lasting character?
§ * MR. JACKSONI have no reason to think that there will be any difficulty in providing work in other Departments for the copyists referred to.
§ MR. J. ROWLANDSIs the hon. Member aware that these men, after 10. or 12 years' service, have temporary employment given to them, and lose the time which intervenes between one employment and another?
§ * MR. JACKSONI am sorry that the hon. Member should press this question. I have said that I am not prepared to give a pledge; but, as a matter of fact, I have asked the Department to do everything the hon. Member asks. I have no doubt that it will be done; but I cannot allow it to be drawn into a precedent, or that the Government shall be pledged to find permanent employment for men who are only engaged temporarily.