§ 3. Mr. BECKERasked the Minister of Pensions how many of the men who were discharged from the headquarters of the Ministry from 1st July to 31st December, 1923, were temporary ex-service men; and will he agree to find vacancies for the temporary ex-service men still remaining on the basis of the Lytton Committee Report?
Mr. ROBERTSNo efficient ex-service men were discharged from headquarters offices (including Pension Issue Office) during the period in question; in fact, during that time the male staff in the offices mentioned was increased by 197, whilst the female staff was reduced by 1,008. Every effort will be made to find openings for efficient men who become redundant on their present work, but it will not be possible to retain men for whom there is no work.
§ 16. Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Pensions the number of local pension committees in the county of London; how many officials are employed at same, and the approximate annual cost for 1922; and whether any or all of such officials are ex-service men?
Mr. ROBERTSThere is one war pensions committee for each of the 15 war pension areas in the county of London. The total area office staff (excluding clinic and medical staff) now numbers 497, of whom 397 are males, all ex-service men. The female staff, six of whom are ex-service women, is composed of clerks employed in widows' and dependants' sections, typists and cleaners. The cost of the committees for 1922 was £100,092. The cost for 1923 following on the reorganisation was substantially less.