§ 61. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health how many clerks in his Department have worked overtime during the three months ended 7th December, and the number of hours overtime worked by each person each week?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)During the period in question, 283 clerks have been employed upon overtime, the number of hours worked amounting in the aggregate to 6,818. Of these clerks, 167 were employed at headquarters, and 116 in provincial offices, where it is frequently impracticable to obviate the need for overtime by the employment of additional staff. The detailed information asked for by the hon. Member, with regard to the number of hours worked by each person each week, involves a very voluminous statement, and I think it would be more convenient if I sent this to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman consult the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and see whether it is not possible to obviate some of this overtime by giving work to the women who are under notice from the Post Office?
§ Sir K. WOODOf course, I will take what steps can be taken in the matter, but most of this work is of a special character in connection with widows' pensions and in connection with the preparation of local government returns. I will certainly look into the matter and see if anything can be done.