§ MR. FIELDTo ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether ho is aware that in the seventy pensionable positions in the Survey Department, including headquarters and division offices, when vacancies occur the positions are, in the majority of cases, filled by ex-Royal Engineers who are already in receipt of a pension; whether, with a view to promoting efficiency, stops will be taken to discontinue the system 627 of superseding temporary civil assistants with years of service and experience, and also labourers who have given satisfaction; and whether he will consider the necessity of providing a pension for temporary civil servants and labourers when discharged on reduction or on reaching the age limit after ten years continuous service.
(Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Vacancies in the pensionable posts are filled by the selection in each case of the man best suited to the particular post, irrespective of whether he has served in the Army or not. At present these posts are held by thirty-five assistants who have had no Army service, twenty-nine who have had Army service, and eight who are still serving in the Royal Engineers. Owing to the reduction in the amount of work to be done, it is necessary to give notice of discharge to some of the employees, and, in the interests of efficiency, those who can best be spared are selected for discharge. The question of the superannuation of the temporary civil assistants is at present under the consideration of the Treasury.