§ 50. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour how many clerks and other persons engaged at Employment Exchanges and in other departments connected with the Ministry have worked overtime during the three months ended 7th December, and the number of hours overtime worked by each person each week?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIn the three months ended 23rd November, the average weekly number of officers of the Department who worked overtime (other than officers of the Administrative grade and other senior officers at Headquarters for whom statistics are not available) was 2,708. It is not practicable to give the number of hours worked by each officer but the total of such hours of overtime worked was 11,814.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his Department will consult with the Department of the Post Office where a number of women clerks are under notice in order that they may be given this work instead of being discharged and so prevent overtime?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI can assure the hon. Member that it is the definite policy of my Department to engage staff rather than work overtime, and it is only when there is a sudden rush of work that overtime is worked.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the Parliamentary Secretary consult with the appropriate department in order to see whether some of these women who are under notice cannot be taken on?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI will certainly inquire whether it would be possible to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member where further staff is required.