HC Deb 22 November 1928 vol 222 cc1886-8
66. Sir F. HALL

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any examinations have been fixed for candidates for the Civil Service; if so, on what dates are they to be held, or whether, on the other hand, the Government propose to retain the services of those temporary civil servants who have satisfactorily carried out their duties for some years past; and whether it is contemplated that they should be promoted to the non-pensionable permanent class?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)

The date for the next examination for entry into the established clerical classes, which I take to be the examination which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, has not yet been fixed. With regard to the second part of the question, the position is that promotions to the established clerical classes continue to be made in cases where individual ex-service clerks are found fully qualified to carry out the duties of those classes. Similarly, appointments to permanent unestablished status continue to be made in accordance with the Guinness Agreement of 1925. His Majesty's Government propose also to make arrangements whereby suitable ex-service temporary clerks, who may become redundant, will be re-employed where practicable on a temporary basis in posts normally filled by writing assistants (women). It is hoped that these arrangements will provide continuous employment for the ex-service temporary clerks within the scope of the Guinness Agreement.

Sir F. HALL

Are any vacancies being filled by the appointment of those candidates who sat for examination last November?

Mr. SAMUEL

I could not give an answer to that question offhand; it is not what was asked in the question; but if my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question on those lines I will make inquiries.

Mr. R. MORRISON

Is it intended to discharge a considerable number of women who have been employed for some years?

Mr. SAMUEL

In this case, also, I must ask the hon. Member to put down his question on this subject.

Sir F. HALL

Is it the intention of the Government to do all that they can to retain the services of those competent ex-service men who have been able to carry on their duties in a satisfactory manner for the last six, seven or eight years, and may we take it they are not to be thrown out of employment?

Mr. SAMUEL

My answer shows that we are doing that in this arrangement with regard to them.

Colonel WOODCOCK

Has the hon. Member seen the Report of the Estimates Committee on this subject, and has he the promise of the Treasury to carry out those recommendations? Is he going to do that?

Mr. SAMUEL

I have seen the recommendations. I am doing the best I can to find employment for these clerks.