HC Deb 03 May 1928 vol 216 cc1891-2
32. Mr. FENBY

asked the Minister of Health whether he has established officers in his own Department capable of performing the duties now being discharged by officers on loan from other Government Departments?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The answer is in the affirmative, but I must make it clear that the abnormal, though temporary, volume of work under the Contributory Pensions Act during 1927–28 necessitated adding to the numbers of the Executive grade by obtaining the services of experienced officers of this grade on loan from other Departments for a limited period. As this work is now approaching normality, some of these officers have already returned, and others will shortly be released.

33. Mr. FENBY

asked the Minister of Health how many new entrant permanent officers he has employed in the Department since the decision of the Government was announced last year to restrict the employment of new entrants to the Civil Service?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The number of new entrants to the Civil Service who have been engaged on a permanent basis in my Department since 11th April, 1927, is 187.

34. Mr. FENBY

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the large number of new-entrant permanent writing assistants engaged by his Department during 1927, he proposes to carry out the specific clause of the pledge, dated 1st January, 1926, which states that if the engagement of new-entrant writing assistants causes redundancy among the women temporary staff recourse shall be had by dismissing the least efficient of the temporary staff; and why he has issued notices only to ex-service temporary clerks?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Carnarvon (Major Owen) on 22nd March last.

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