§ 2. Captain WEDGWOOD BENNasked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to reduce the Staff of the Pensions Ministry in Scotland, and, if so, by how many
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. F. O. Roberts)It is estimated that a reduction of about 90 in the staff of the Ministry in Scotland will be necessary in the period up to the end of April next.
§ Mr. ROBERTSI cannot answer that question to-day, but if it be put on the Papers I will give full information
§ Captain BENNAre these cases of absolute dismissal, or are the men offered alternative employment
§ Mr. ROBERTSThat question will be considered at a later stage, when the notices expire.
§ 3. Mr. LINFIELDasked the Minister of Pensions the number of staff employed in. his Department on 1st January, 1923, and 1st January, 1924
§ Mr. ROBERTSThe total staff on the 1st January, 1923, was 24,740, and, on the !st January, 1924, 19,935.
§ 14. Mr. HOGGEasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men in the Ministry have received warning notice of discharge; whether any of the men concerned are disabled; and what steps he proposes to take to retain the services of such men
§ Mr. ROBERTSApproximately 350 ex-service men in the Ministry have received warning notice of discharge. These notices expire on or before the 31st March next. A number of the men concerned are disabled, and the possibility of finding further employment for them is being explored.
§ Mr. PERCY HARRISWill the right hon. Gentleman consider keeping on men of this character who have done good service for four years, and have proved efficient, in preference to taking on new persons
§ Mr. ROBERTSCertainly that point will be considered.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLIs it the fact that a considerable number of persons who did not serve in the War are still retained, while ex-service men have received notification of discharge; and are there not among them men in the first category—disabled men whom the Government have intimated that they desire their services should be retained
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman also take into consideration the fact that there are a good many people 979 in this country who never have done any service—descendants of Nelson, for instance—and who are receiving large pensions
§ Captain Viscount CURZONAre there any conscientious objectors still retained at the Pensions Ministry
§ Mr. LANSBURYBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, will he also take into consideration the question of discharging those gentlemen who are in receipt of large pensions as well as salaries in his Department, so as to make room for some of the men who need employment
§ Sir H. BRITTAINCannot the right hon. Gentleman now give a definite promise to retain the disabled ex-service men?
§ Mr. ROBERTSAs far as is consistent with the efficient discharge of the work essential to the Department, that question will certainly be taken into consideration. With regard to the point raised by the Noble Lord the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon), if he will put his question on the Paper I will get the fullest information possible.
§ 15. Mr. HOGGEasked the Minister of Pensions how many women are under notice of discharge; and whether any notices issued to women have been postponed or cancelled.
§ Mr. ROBERTSThe number of women now under notice is 317. Of these, 302 clerks in Pension Issue Office were originally placed under notice for the 31st January, but the fall in the work of the Office was not sufficient to allow of their demobilisation on that date.
§ Mr. ROBERTSThat question is involved in the general consideration of both the male and female staffs, and it is not one I am able to answer to-day.