§ 34. Viscount CURZONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the total amount of overtime worked by clerical officers in his Department since 1st January; what is the longest time 2303 any particular officer has been working regular overtime; and whether, in accordance with the declared policy of the' Government, he will obtain additional temporary staff to cope with such work rather than continue the policy of making the existing staff work overtime for long periods?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Mr. Leach)The answer to the first part of the question is 2,470 hours; to the second, that one officer has been working regular overtime for five months; to the third, that the policy of the Air Ministry is to engage additional temporary staff, whenever practicable, in preference to placing the existing staff on overtime for long periods.
§ Viscount CURZONWould it not have been possible to reduce this figure of 2,000 hours overtime by employing a few more ex-service men?
§ Mr. LEACHEvery effort was made to engage competent temporary staff. To the extent to which it was possible, that was done.