§ 1. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men have been discharged in his Department in the four months ending 28th February; and what steps are taken with a view to ensuring to ex-service men employed by the Ministry of Pensions permanency of employment?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)During the four months ended 28th February, 1925, the temporary ex-service staff was reduced by 868, but this number includes voluntary resignations. The hon. Member is doubtless aware of the settlement in regard to the permanent employment of temporary ex-service grades, which was debated in this House on Thursday last. The terms of that settlement will be applied to the staff of the Ministry of Pensions. When men become redundant, and there are no posts available in other branches of the Ministry, reports on the men concerned are furnished to the Joint Substitution Board or the local Divisional Committees of the Ministry of Labour for considera- 2396 tion for vacancies arising in other Departments, and under this arrangement it has been possible to provide further employment for a considerable number of the redundant men. The Ministry cannot, of course, retain staff in excess of that necessary for the performance of the work.
§ 2. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the removal expenses of the permanent civil servants are borne by the State when they are transferred, he can secure the same advantage for all ex-service men in his Departments, who are under notice of dismissal, if alternative employment is found for them in other districts?
§ Major TRYONRemoval expenses of civil servants are not paid in the case of voluntary transfers, i.e., transfers made at the instance of, or in the interests of, the individual. The offer of further temporary employment to temporary Government employés whose previous work has disappeared is usually made in the interests of the officer concerned, and removal expenses can only be paid in those special cases where the transfer can be stated to be primarily in the interests of the Service. A contribution towards removal expenses is made as an exceptional arrangement where temporary staff are transferred with their work.