§ 3. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Trade how many ex-service temporary civil servants employed in the clearing office, enemy debts branch, have received notice of discharge; and whether any alternative employment has been or will be offered to them?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERTen men have received notice of discharge for the 31st March in consequence of reduction in work. Every endeavour will be made both departmentally and through the Joint Substitution Board to provide alternative employment for them after that date, though not necessarily in their present grades, but it is not possible at present to make any definite statement.
§ Mr. MORRISONIn view of these engagements terminating in a fortnight's time on 31st March, could not some steps be taken to see that men who have already been for something like eight years in Government employment and have proved satisfactory, are not turned into the street?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not sure what the hon. Gentleman suggests. If he suggests that I should keep a staff on with the Clearing Office when their work is finished, that I could not do. It would be most improper to keep a temporary department going when its work was finished. Every effort is being made, through the Joint Substitution Board, to find employment for these men, and that is the regular practice. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that every effort will be made.
§ Mr. KELLYIs the office closing down on 31st March consequent upon the recent report of the Treasury?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, it is the result of the work of a temporary department drawing to its close.