§ 1. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Pensions if he has reached a decision regarding the proposed transfer of Scottish 2350 pensions administration from Edinburgh to London; and if he can now communicate that decision to the House?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)Yes, Sir. After full review of all the circumstances, I have decided to bring back to London at a conveniently early date the remainder of the work of awarding and issuing war pensions now carried out in the Ministry's regional office in Edinburgh. I need hardly add that, as. in the case of Ireland, Wales and other parts of the Kingdom where a similar change has already been made, the work of the local offices of the Ministry throughout Scotland, by which the personal touch with the pensioner is maintained, is in no way affected by this change.
§ Mr. KENNEDYDoes the Minister of Pensions, in coming to this decision, realise the very keen disapproval with which this decision will be received in, Scotland—a disapproval which is shared by every body representative of ex-service men in Scotland.
§ Major TRYONThe opinion is not unanimous, as I think the hon. Member's question suggests, but I have no doubt that this policy, so successfully pushed on by the Labour Government in other parts of the country, will be as successful in Scotland as it has been in England and Wales.
§ Mr. KENNEDYWill the right hon. Gentleman, in answer to the deputation-which waited on him recently, representative of the Scottish Members of this House, convey to them the details of the alleged economy that will be realised from this?
§ Major TRYONI have addressed a letter to those Members, in which the total, which is £19,000, is given, and have explained some of the circumstances that have brought about this change.
§ Commander COCHRANECan the Minister give any assurance regarding the future employment of the men who will be displaced?
§ Major TRYONI am very glad to be able to assure my hon. and gallant Friend that these men, who have done such excellent work, have been very successful in the recent examination for permanent posts, so that the position of the majority of these very good men is secured, and I am very glad of it.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONMay I ask what arrangements the right hon. Gentleman is making about employment for the minority, who are now to be discharged from employment?
§ Major TRYONIs it not possible for the Ministry, which has already decreased its staff by over 20,000, to confine reductions to England, but the reduction has been less in Scotland than in other 'parts of the country.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to discharge Scots clerks, and take on English clerks to do their work?
§ Major TRYONNo, Sir; the staff of the Ministry throughout the country is not distributed on a national basis.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDid the right hon. Gentleman consult, the Secretary of State for Scotland before he took this drastic action?
§ Major TRYONThe decision is obviously the decision of the Government.