53. Sir HENRY COWANasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the proposed transfer of certain non-pensionable ex-service permanent men clerks from the Customs and Excise Department to the Inland Revenue Department: and whether, in view of the fact that these clerks will be prejudiced particularly in regard to future pensionable rights by such transfer, he will consider the desirability of retaining them in their employment in the Customs and Excise Department?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)A number of permanent non-pensionable clerks who failed to qualify, or did not sit, at, the examination open to ex-service clerks for entry to the established Clerical Classes have been transferred from the Customs and Excise Department in order to admit of the assignment to the Department, in a pensionable capacity, of an equivalent number of ex-service men who were successful at that examination. The liability to such transfer is clearly laid down in the agreed conditions of service of permanent non-pensionable clerks, and I am unable to agree that the rights of the men affected have been prejudiced in any way. I regret that. I cannot entertain my hon. Friend's suggestion that the redundant clerks in question should be retained in 750 the employment of the Customs and Excise Department, since, apart from other considerations, this course would involve postponing the establishment of ex-service men who Faye qualified by examination for pensionable appointments.