§ 76. Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Dublin, Harbour)asked how many temporary clerks have been embodied in the permanent staff of the General Register Office in the last five years; have 798 any opportunities occurred of so amalgamating the two staffs without injuring the prospects of the permanent staff; is there at present, or is it likely that there will soon exist, an opportunity of so, amalgamating temporary clerks in the permanent staff; and, if so, will the Registrar-General consider fully the service and efficiency of his present temporary staff with a view to ending, if possible, their present anomalous and precarious position?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have inquired into this matter, being always anxious when it is possible to improve the position of temporary clerks, and the Registrar-General tells me he has most carefully considered the position of the temporary clerks, both male and female, and has endeavoured where possible to take advantage of any opportunity of improving the positions of those meriting such treatment. It would be impossible always to amalgamate the temporary and permanent clerks without reference to each particular case.
§ Mr. ABRAHAMAre there not three vacancies?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes, I believe there are.
§ Mr. ABRAHAMWill the Registrar-. General then consider the advisability of appointing some of these temporary clerks?
§ Mr. BIRRELLOf course he will consider that, but he cannot pass over the, claim of other persons in the office who, have a prior claim. I quite recognise what the hon. Member means.