§ 8. Mr. KELLYasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ex- 958 service men discharged from the Enemy Debts Department during the last year who had been in the employ of the Department for seven or more years; and how many of these officers received a gratuity for completing more than seven years' service?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERLeaving out of account 39 temporary ex-service men who were re-allocated to further employment in other Departments on the termination of their service in the Enemy Debts Department, the number of ex-service men with seven years' service who were discharged from that Department in the 12 months ended 28th February last was 21. Nine of these men received gratuities on discharge. The hon. Member is probably aware that gratuities are not awarded to persons discharged before 1st September, 1928. The staff of the Clearing Office are treated in the same way in this matter as are the temporary staff in all Government Departments.
§ Mr. KELLYSeeing that most of these men had more than seven years' service, and that seven years' service warrants a gratuity, can the right hon. Gentleman say why it was not given?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, Sir. That question was asked of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury some time ago, not with relation to this Department only, but to all the Government Departments. I am not sure on what date it was, but I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy of the Financial Secretary's reply, in which he set out the reasons why the date from which the period of seven years runs is the official date of the termination of the War.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONHave the men discharged all been absorbed into other Government Departments,
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. If the hon. Member will read my answer, he will see that I excluded those whom I know to have been absorbed into other Departments. My answer deals with those who, so far as I am aware, have not been absorbed.