HC Deb 21 October 1915 vol 74 cc1990-1
50. Mr. CHANCELLOR

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether within the past few weeks the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have been approached by the War Office, who are short of men, suggesting the transfer of some men to that Department; whether the Commissioners have refused to comply with the suggestion, although there are under notice of dismissal over 2,000 men of the Valuation Department, who would be eminently suitable to take up the work; and whether he will, as far as possible, fill vacancies in other Departments with these men so as to retransfer them later when the work of the Valuation Department is resumed, and prevent the experience they have acquired from being lost to the country?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension; the Commissioners have readily released from their service, without requiring the month's notice to which they are entitled, such members of the Valuation Staff as the War Office have desired to engage. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 14th instant to a question put by the hon. Member for Chippenham.

Mr. SNOWDEN

In view of the very serious character of this matter—the dismissal of 2,000 men, many of whom have been refused permission to enlist—will the Chancellor of the Exchequer do all he can in co-operation with other Government Departments to see if some kind of suitable work cannot be found for these men?

Mr. McKENNA

Certainly; I am most anxious that work should be found for them.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Provided their record is good, will they have the first claim to suitable appointments arising in public Departments?

Mr. McKENNA

Everything is being done to find suitable employment for them. I am unable to say whether they will have first claim in somebody else's Department.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

But in your Department?

Mr. McKENNA

In my Department, certainly.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the importance, in view of the knowledge which these gentlemen have acquired already, of making provision to have them at hand when the work can be resumed?

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