§ 44. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour whether, without preliminary warning, notices of discharge have been issued to about 50 ex service men employed in the claims and records office of the Ministry of Labour at Kew; whether it is intended to issue further notices weekly until the temporary staff is reduced to an: absolute minimum; whether the dismissals are to take place according to military category; whether relative efficiency, length of service, and domestic responsibilities are taken into consideration; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but all the clerks concerned have been given a month's notice. The present staff is in excess of the Estimates for 1926–27 and, in view of the reduction in the number of unemployed persons drawing unemployment insurance benefit, it has been found possible to effect the necessary reduction in staff to approximate to the Estimate. The discharges are taking place according to military category and other matters such as are referred to in the hon. Member's question are taken into consideration within each category.