§ 9. Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the amalgamation of the East and West Midlands regions was effected in the public interest, necessitating the transfer of experienced officers from Nottingham to Birmingham, he will authorise the payment of removal expenses for the officers so transferred?
§ Major TRYONI would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to 594 him on this subject on the 3rd May last. With few exceptions, the transfers cannot be regarded as being required in the public interest. They are offered as the alternative to discharge, and I regret that in these circumstances I cannot authorise the payment of removal expenses.
§ Mr. HAYDAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman see the difference between these various answers? If as the right hon. Gentleman says the removal of the office from Nottingham to Birmingham was in the public interest, surely the transferences of these officers from Nottingham to Birmingham was actuated by the same reasons: and will he therefore again consider the matter as it is a cause of very extreme hardship to many of those transferred?
§ Major TRYONIf the removal of any particular officer is considered essential in the public interest the removal expenses are paid.
§ Mr. HAYDAYSurely, if the removal of the office itself is in the public interest, then the officers must also be transferred in the public interest?
§ Major TRYONI do not think that follows.