§ 46. Mr. CLUSEasked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he intends to take steps with a view to the suspension of the dismissal of competent ex-service temporary civil servants which are now 1302 taking place, or are about to take place, in various Government Departments; and whether he will ensure security of tenure to such men who have by their service proved their efficiency, and are now faced with the prospect of unemployment and want for themselves and their dependants?
Mr. GRAHAMI have been asked to reply. Any dismissals which are now taking place are the result of decrease of work. I regret that it would be impossible to justify the retention in the Government service of clerks employed on a purely temporary basis for whom work is no longer available, but the names of all ex-service men discharged on redundancy are notified to the Joint Substitution Board, and preference is given to such men in filling temporary appointments in other Departments. As I stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Bilston on the 14th instant, the Government intend to give the fullest possible consideration to the claims of ex service men for preferential treatment. The claim that further opportunities should he given to ex-service temporary employés to qualify for such permanent appointments as are available will no doubt receive careful consideration from the Southborough Committee.
74. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there are a very large number of ex-service men engaged temporarily as civil servants; and whether, considering that in some thousands of cases these men have carried out their duties in an entirely satisfactory manner for periods ranging from three to five years, have proved their efficiency, and are fulfilling the same duties as civil servants who have passed the usual examination, he will give instructions that as large a number as possible of the competent officers may be transferred to the established list without examination as and when vacancies occur?
Mr. GRAHAMI have been asked to reply. As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the recommendations of Lord Lytton's Committee on this matter have been carried out. The subsequent Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Southborough have not dealt with it in their two interim Reports. The question of what further action, if any, should be taken is under consideration.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask if the hon. Gentleman does not think it unfair to these men, who have proved their capabilities for the last three or four years, that something should not be done to put them in a permanent position?
Mr. GRAHAMThe hon. and gallant Member no doubt knows the difficulty, but I may tell him and the House quite frankly that during the past two weeks we have been considering the whole position, and I hope very soon to be able to make a definite statement on this and other points.
Sir F. HALLIf I repeat this question this day week, will the hon. Member be able to give a further reply?
Mr. GRAHAMI am afraid that that would be too short a. time. There are very large Civil Service issues involved.