§ 5. Mr. BAKERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a higher clerical officer in his Department has held an acting appointment as staff officer for about two years, and has had two increments in that grade; that this officer's work and conduct were certified as satisfactory in two successive years in order that the increments could be granted; that this officer has now been superseded by a junior officer; that there are other senior officers, some of whom have at various times performed staff officer's work, who have now been passed over in favour of this junior officer; whether he is aware that this appointment was due to be made in 1922; and, if so, will he state the reason of the delay and give personal consideration to the claims of his senior staff?
Mr. ROBERTSThe facts as stated are generally correct. The filling of the vacancy in question was delayed in order that there might be an opportunity of testing the suitability for promotion of several higher clerical officers. The final selection was made after the fullest possible consideration of the claims of all concerned, including those of the acting staff officer, who is not the senior member of the higher clerical class.
§ 11. Major WHELERasked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that under the Report of the Southborough Committee of 5th June no provision is made for salaried officials of the Ministry to be admitted into the permanent service, he will, before any such alteration of the staff of area committees is made, allow the matter to be discussed at the next meeting of the advisory council?
Mr. ROBERTSThe Report of the Southborough Committee gives temporary salaried officials a further opportunity of obtaining permanent posts in the clerical class, but makes no provision for direct appointment to the executive grade. The Committee's findings involve no change whatever in the terms or conditions of 1491 employment of the temporary salaried officials of the Ministry, and no general alteration in the existing personnel is at present contemplated. A resolution dealing with this matter is on the agenda for the meeting of the West Metropolitan Advisory Council to be held on the 29th instant.
§ Major WHELERMay I express the hope that the statement made by the Minister will be made public, because there is a considerable feeling amongst these men who are now doing the work that they will be superseded, and they think that from their local knowledge they are fully qualified, and, indeed, better qualified, to do the work than permanent civil servants would be. I hope that will be made perfectly clear.