§ 26. Mr. BARNESasked the Minister of Labour whether he will submit a Return to the House showing the total number of staff reductions in his Department from 1st January, 1923, to 30th June, 1923, and the percentage of ex-service men among them?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe staff of the Ministry of Labour (exclusive of branch managers—who are paid by fees—and 1337 industrial staff) totalled 16,535 on the 1st January, 1923, and 15,104 on the 1st July, a reduction of 1,431. Between the same dates the number of ex-service men employed in the Department has been reduced by 1,277, representing rather more than 89 per cent. of the total reduction. The number of ex-service men, however, still employed is 85.5 per cent. of the total male employés.
§ Mr. BARNESIs there issued any Regulation governing the dismissal of these men with regard to obtaining other employment, taking seniority into consideration?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThere are already rules laid down by the various Government inquiries which have sat on the subject, and we carry out absolutely the recommendations of those Committees.