§ 3. Mr. Gledhillasked the Minister of Labour what is the number of qualified sales managers enrolled on the Central Register for National Service; how many have been offered positions; and at what salary?
§ Mr. E. BrownThere are about 450 persons on the Central Register who are classified primarily as sales managers. Of these, about 60 have been asked whether they wished to have their qualifications submitted for particular vacancies notified to the Register and others are at present under consideration. The salaries of the vacancies in question range from £300–£1,000, but are mainly between £400 and £600.
§ Mr. GledhillCan the Minister say why the stipulation was made when these men registered that they must be earning at least £700 a year?
§ Mr. BrownThe reason was that the Central Register was based upon the desire of the Government in the national interests to make sure of the services of people with specially high qualifications?
§ Mr. GledhillIn view of the fact that there is an obvious preference for retired civil servants, will the Minister say why the Central Register should not be discontinued?
§ 16. Mr. Thurtleasked the Minister of Labour whether it is his practice to refer all inquiries for new staff to the various panels which have been set up in connection with the Central Register, or whether he dispenses with the advice of these panels in connection with appointments to posts of an important executive character carrying large salaries?
§ Mr. BrownIn filling all technical and most professional posts notified to the Central Register, it is the general practice to consult the panels of specialists in accordance with the recommendation of the appropriate committee of the Advisory Council. In a minority of cases covering certain professional groups the committees agreed either to modify the operation of the panel procedure or to confine its application to vacancies presenting special points of doubt or difficulty. In one case the committee agreed to dispense with the panel procedure altogether.
§ 20. Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Labour how many people are employed on maintaining the Central Register; and what is the aggregate of the annual salaries?
§ Mr. BrownAs I indicated to my hon. Friend in answer to a previous Question on 29th February, it is not possible to separate the cost of maintaining and operating the Central Register from other functions, including those in connection with two subsidiary Registers, for which this branch of my Department is responsible. The number of staff in the branch fluctuates according to the volume of work and is at present 123. The aggregate of the annual salaries of the staff at present employed is £34,550.
§ Sir H. WilliamsDo I understand that it takes 123 people, working all day, to maintain the Central Register?