HC Deb 14 May 1928 vol 217 cc667-8
54. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the Minister of Health how many junior clerks have commenced work in the Ministry during the past six months?

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

No new entrants of the junior clerical class have been recruited for my Department during the last six months. I may, however, add that 39 members of the ex-service "P" class clerks have been promoted within the Department to the permanent established clerical class.

55. Mr. MORRISON

asked the Minister of Health how many temporary ex-service clerks are at resent under notice in the Ministry; and what is the rate of discharge?

Sir K. WOOD

Two hundred and twenty-eight temporary ex-service clerks are at present under notice in my Department. In the case of 169 of these officers the notices do not take effect until the middle of June. Sixty-two officers have been discharged during the last six weeks, but the rate of discharge necessarily varies from week to week.

56. Mr. MORRISON

asked the Minister of Health whether overtime is still being worked in any of his Departments; and, if so, to what extent?

Sir K. WOOD

Seventy-nine members of the staff of my Department are at present employed on overtime, of whom 33 are messengers or typists, 24 are employed in regional and provincial offices, and 22 at headquarters.

Mr. SHINWELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why it is found necessary to dispense with the services of so many men when overtime is being worked in his Department?

Sir K. WOOD

Because, obviously, they are not engaged on the same class of work.

Mr. SHINWELL

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to consider transferring men from one department to another when they are engaged on clerical work?

Sir K. WOOD

All these matters have been considered.

Mr. SHINWELL

If they have been considered, is it the policy of the Government to dispense with ex-service men who are employed by the Department without regard to their future prospects?

Sir K. WOOD

No, Sir.

Commander WILLIAMS

Has my right hon. Friend noticed that certain trade unions object to people being transferred from one class of job to another?