HC Deb 19 December 1921 vol 149 c387
13. Viscount WOLMER

asked 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 WOLMER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many ex-service men he proposes to take into employment in the adjustment which he has fixed?

Mr. MACPHERSON

My 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 LOSEBY

Has 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. MACPHERSON

I hope by the 31st March.

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