§ 91. Mr. WATTasked the Food Controller how many of the expert staff of over military age of the various margarine manufacturers displaced by the Government taking over this trade have been employed in the London clearing house for margarine; how many men of military age are at present employed there; and was a promise made to employ displaced men if over military age?
§ Major ASTORThe total number of men previously in the employment of margarine manufacturers who were over military age at the date of their appointment on the staff of the Margarine Clearing House is twenty-two. The total number of men of military age now employed in the Clearing House is sixty-six; of these thirty-four have served in His Majesty's Forces, and a further eighteen were at the time of their appointment over military age. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. Manufacturers were invited to nominate members of their staffs for appointment at the Clearing House, and the nominations received were carefully considered having regard to the needs of the Clearing House, the salaries required, and the qualifications of the nominees for the posts which had to be filled.
§ Mr. WATTCould not some of these twenty-two over military age who have not been employed be utilised to replace those in London who are of military age?
§ Major ASTORI will have the matter looked into.