63. Captain TERRELLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the vacancies competed for in the examinations for entrance into the Civil Service are restricted so far as possible in view of the public hope of drastic retrenchment in Government expenditure and bureaucratic administration?
Mr. YOUNGYes, Sir. The permanent establishments of Government Departments are kept constantly under review, and the vacancies therein open to competition are strictly limited to the number of posts required to be filled on a permanent basis.
64. Captain TERRELLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the average length of a day's work performed by the various grades of the Civil Service and indicate, in each case, what is the allowance for meals?
Mr. YOUNGThe minimum hours worked per day by permanent ranks of the general clerical and administrative staffs of London headquarter offices is seven, with an interval of from three-quarters of an hour to one hour for lunch. There is no stated tea interval. The minimum day's work of other grades varies very frequently, and in all cases the minimum period is frequently exceeded without extra payment.
Captain TERRELLWould it be possible for civil servants to work 8 hours a day, and thereby reduce the number of civil servants now employed in Government Departments?
Mr. YOUNGIf they work 8 hours a day, of course, it would be possible to reduce the number of officials employed, but 592 my hon. and gallant Friend will understand that it would quite upset the present basis of employment.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWould any one be willing to be penned up in an office 8 hours a day?
§ Mr. J. BUTCHERthis reduction of hours of duty taken place since the increase of salaries?