§ 28. Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Labour whether, owing to reductions being made in the Employment Department, the result is that there are or will be a number of senior permanent civil servants redundant; will he state the number; and what is the intention in regard to these officials, in view of the fact that other Departments are also being reduced?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn pursuance of the policy of securing the utmost degree of economy in administration, I have recently been able to reduce the number of administrative areas of the Employment Department in Great Britain from nine to seven, and as a result a certain number of permanent officers will be rendered available for other duty. This change has only recently been effected and it is not possible to state, at the. moment, the precise number of permanent officers who will be released. My intention is, however, to see that every officer who is released is appropriately employed on other duties in the Ministry—whether in a permanent or a temporary Department—and my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that, in order that this end may be secured, it will be necessary for me to terminate the appointments of a number of temporary officers.
§ Captain BOWYERCan my right hon. Friend say in how much jeopardy those who are employed in the temporary Departments now stand, especially as regards the Appointments Branch and the Civil Liabilities Branch?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have not quite followed my hon. and gallant Friend's question.
§ Captain BOWYERIs the right hon. Gentleman going to appoint these surplus officers to take over the work of those in the temporary Departments?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANot take over, but it may very well be that some of my redundant officers may take the places of some of those in any Departments, temporary or otherwise.