§ 64. Major CRAWFURDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Government propose to take to safeguard the claims of those who will remain temporary clerks, in view of the fact that in some departments the present volume of work will exist for some years, and if these men will be superseded by the writing assistant class or by the normal entrant by means of open competitive examinations?
Mr. GUINNESSI am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the memorandum setting out the arrangements agreed as a final settlement of the claims of ex-service men now temporarily employed to permanent retention in the Civil Service.
§ 65. Major CRAWFURDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the terms of reference placed before the temporary staffs associations in respect of the recent settlement of the claims of the temporary staffs in the Civil Service; and were the terms of reference submitted to all associations representing ex-service temporary staffs?
Mr. GUINNESSI do not follow what is meant by "terms of reference" in the hon. Member's question. The agreement in question was negotiated as a settlement of the claims made on behalf of ex-service men temporarily employed in the Civil Service by the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants.
§ Mr. AMMONIs it to be understood that the operation of the agreement is suspended until the discussion has taken place in this House?
Mr. GUINNESSI understand that the discussion is likely to take place quite shortly, and that there is no question of the examination recommended in the Southborough Report being possible for many weeks to come.
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMDoes not the position go beyond that, and that according to the Prime Minister's promise the agreement will not be applied in any shape or form until the discussion has taken place here?
Mr. GUINNESSI think that is the inference from what I have just said, because nothing as to permanency can take place under the agreement until the result of the Southborough examination is known. The Southborough examination cannot possibly be arranged to take place for many weeks to come. Halls have to be hired and notices given.
§ Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRIs it not a fact that some of the men are being refused permission to sit for this examination, and cannot we have the discussion so that these men who are in the meantime being refused permission to sit will, after the discussion, be able to obtain permission?
Mr. GUINNESSThe proposal is to retain the qualification laid down in the Southborough Report for sitting at the examination. All these matters can be brought up when the Debate takes place.