§ 51. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether records are kept as to the number of ex-service clerks discharged from the Government service during the past 12 months who are at present unemployed?
Mr. SAMUELYes, Sir. Records are kept of all ex-service temporary clerks discharged from Government Departments on redundancy. This is done with a view to placing them in fresh Government employment so far as that is available.
§ Mr. MORRISONWill the hon. Gentleman kindly answer the question which I asked, namely:
whether records are kept as to the number of ex-service clerks discharged from the Government service during the past 12 months who are at present unemployed?
Mr. SAMUELI cannot answer the question in that form, but I can say that the total on the register is 673. These include some who were discharged over 12 months ago, and also men who, although on the register, may, for aught that we know, have obtained employment elsewhere.
§ Mr. MORRISONIn view of the statement that records are kept, may I ask what becomes of these ex-service men when they leave Government employment through redundancy? If I put the ques- 856 tion down again, will it he possible to give me the number of ex-service employés who are at present unemployed?
Mr. SAMUELOf course, I will try to answer any question that the hon. Member puts down, but we cannot tell how many of those on the register have obtained outside employment. We have no means of knowing that, but I will do what I can to give a reply to whatever question the hon. Member puts down.
§ Mr. MORRISONMay I take it that, when these ex-service men have given several years' service to the Government, and are discharged through redundancy and for no fault of their own, no Government Department has any responsibility as to what becomes of them?
Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir, that is not the ease. We keep their names on the register, and, if possible, get employment for them, but in the meantime some of them may get outside employment without informing us.