§ 13. Viscount WOLMERasked the Minister of Pensions the number of women employed in the Ministry in preference to ex-service men and the number of permanent civil servants serving as deputy principal clerks or principal clerks; and how many of them are ex-service men, and how many of the remainder have received promotion since 4th August, 1921?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Macpherson)It is not the policy of the Ministry to employ women in preference to ex-service men. On the contrary, I am at present adjusting my staff in accordance with the recommendation in paragraph 19 of the Third Report of the Lytton Committee, to which I would refer my Noble Friend. The answer to the second part of the question is 38, of whom three are ex-service officers. No promotions to either of these grades have been made since the dates mentioned.
§ Viscount WOLMERCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many ex-service men he proposes to take into employment in the adjustment which he has fixed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy proportion of ex-service men up to the present is 97.8 of all the men employed. I hope by the 31st March to have fully completed the recommendations of the Committee.
§ Captain LOSEBYHas the right hon. Gentleman any estimate of the time within which he will get the total number of ex-service men employed up to the percentage recommended by this Committee?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI hope by the 31st March.