§ 21. Lieut.-Colonel Sir JOSEPH NALLasked the Minister of Labour how many of the ex-service members of the staff in his Department now under or about to receive notice of dismissal are single and how many are married men?
§ Mr. SHAW151 ex-service members of the temporary staff of the Ministry are now—mainly as a result of the steady diminution in unemployment—under or about to receive notice of dismissal, though it is probable that further employment will be found by the Department for a proportion of these officers before their notice expires. Of these 151, 74 are single and 77 married men.
§ Sir J. NALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in one office in Manchester alone, 10 out of 17 ex-service men are under notice, two of them being disabled; and that only four have been offered any alternative employment?
§ Mr. SHAWI am not aware of those facts. The hon. and gallant Member did not give them to me in order that I could inquire into the case. I will inquire into it, but the real reason for these officers 402 having to leave is that unemployment is decreasing steadily, and there is no work for them.
§ Sir J. NALLAm I to understand that that is why 10 out of 17 are to be dismissed in one office alone?
§ Mr. SHAWThe dismissals take place on a method arranged between the men themselves and the officials, in strict accordance with the substitution scheme definitely approved by both sides.
§ Sir J. NALLDoes the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that any particular office is not penalised in the interest of some other office?
§ Mr. SHAWYes, everything that can be done is done to carry out in full honesty the agreement arrived at.