§ 32. Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Minister of Labour the number of men over military age and physically unfit for the Army who worked in Government offices since the outbreak of war; what percentage of them have been discharged on account of the necessary reduction in staffs; what length of notice of dismissal was given to them; and what provision was made for their maintenance pending their obtaining civilian employment?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Baldwin)I am afraid 394 that it is impossible without undue labour to arrive at even approximate figures for the first and second parts of the question. Temporary staffs of Government offices whose remuneration did not exceed £160 per annum were given a week's notice or a week's pay in lieu of notice before discharge. Those whose remuneration exceeded £160 per annum were given a month's notice or a month's pay in lieu. In addition, a warning of at least one week (in the case of employés with remuneration not exceeding £160) and at least one month (in the case of employés with remuneration exceeding £160) was given wherever possible before the actual notice of discharge was given.
Temporary staffs who became employed contributors under the Health Insurance Acts before 25th August, 1918, were entitled to free donation benefit policies under the general scheme. Donation benefit for civilians ceased on the 25th November last, and all temporary civilian employés of Government offices now receive a month's individual notice and wherever possible a month's warning in addition.