§ 32. Mr. WATTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the unemployment insurance section in Glasgow drew a large number of girl clerks from the post office there; whether these girls stipulated on their engagement that they would be continuously employed in Glasgow and not transferred to any other town; whether there is now an intention of changing the headquarters to Edinburgh, necessitating also the transfer of these girls; if so, whether he is aware that removal has the effect of reducing their remuneration in that lodgings have to be paid for; and what compensation is proposed for this breach of contract?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)A number of clerks in the employ of the General Post Office applied for and received appointments as women clerks in the Glasgow Divisional Office of the Labour Exchanges and Unemployment Insurance Department of the Board of Trade in the summer of 1912. But so far from any undertaking having been given as to continuous employment in Glasgow it was one of the conditions of appointment to each new post that it should be "In such place or places within the 1324 United Kingdom as the Board of Trade may determine." As a matter of fact out of forty-three officers so transferred to the Glasgow Divisional Office only thirteen came from Glasgow offices, nine of the others coming from Edinburgh, and nineteen from London. It has been decided to transfer the work of the Divisional Office from Glasgow to Edinburgh for reasons given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow, on the 23rd November. I should regret if hardship were caused to any of the officers concerned, but although due weight is attached to the convenience of the staff, consideration of the general administrative needs of the Department must prevail. Officers transferred will have their travelling and removal expenses paid on the usual scales sanctioned by the Treasury, but no compensation will be payable.