§ 53. Mr. THURTLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that 29 assistant inspectors of taxes, confirmed in appointment, have received notice of dismissal; if he is aware that these ex-service men were led to expect that their employment would be of a permanent character; and if, in view of the hardship which dismissal will inflict on these men, it is possible for arrangements to be made for their services to be retained?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe officers to whom the hon. Member refers were given notice of termination of their appointments as assistant inspector but were offered posts in another capacity. It has since been found possible to retain about one-third of these officers in their present capacity. The remainder will, subject to their acceptance of the offer mentioned, be retained in the new posts offered them.
§ Mr. SNOWDENMay I ask whether it is not a fact that these assistant inspector of taxes were originally appointed as a result of competitive examination, and, if that be so, is it not unprecedented 212 that they should be discharged after their appointments have been confirmed?
§ Mr. McNEILLI cannot answer that question without notice.