HC Deb 04 July 1927 vol 208 cc856-7
24. Mr. E. BROWN

asked the Minister of Health why the director of establishments of his Department informed a deputation from the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants on 17th March last that he proposed to employ only a very small number of new entrants to that Department as temporary writing assistants arising out of the work in connection with the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act when, in fact, he immediately took steps to employ over 100 of such temporary employés while there were ex-service temporary clerks redundant on the pool of the joint substitution board?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The statements in the question are not in accordance with the facts of the case. The deputation received on 17th March were informed that it would be necessary, pending the result of the writing assistants' examination, and the assignment of successful candidates, to offer temporary employment to a number of the candidates who had entered for that examination, but no intimation or guarantee was given that the number would be very small. The number to be engaged clearly depended upon the exigencies of the work. No steps were in fact taken to offer employment to any of the candidates until 26th April. I may add that the work for which these officers were required was new, permanent, non-clerical work, appropriate to the writing assistant grade.

Mr. BROWN

How many ex-service men were among those employed?

Sir K. WOOD

I must ask for notice of that question.