HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc838-40
53. Sir T. Moore

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many men under 30 years of age are now employed in the Civil Service; and how many civil servants under 30 years of age are serving with the Fighting Forces?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)

I regret that it would not be possible, without a great deal of investigation, to give an accurate reply to the points raised by my hon. and gallant Friend. There is no readily accessible information concerning civil servants under 30 who are reserved under their occupational classification, e.g., chemists, surveyors, at the same age as in outside industry. There were, however, on 1st September, 1941, 6,400 civil servants under 30 in the administrative, executive, clerical and analogous grades, and in professional and technical grades not specifically reserved at a lower age. Of these some 1,100 were awaiting call up. In addition 2,601 were deferred and 1,759 were reserved and the position of these is being examined by the Kennet Committee. On 1st July there were 58,717 non-industrial civil servants serving with the Forces; but it is not possible to say how many of these are under 30.

Sir T. Moore

In view of the known anxiety of these young civil servants to be released from their present occupation so that they can join the Fighting Forces, and in view of the fact that most of their work is of a clerical nature, would it not be possible to satisfy their desire by replacing them with women?

Captain Crookshank

My hon. and gallant Friend must not overlook the fact that we have had a committee, under Lord Kennet, sitting on this matter, and that it has made certain recommendations which have been adopted.

Mr. Lawson

What is the difference between awaiting calling up, deferment and reservation? Is there any difference?

Captain Crookshank

Oh, yes, there must be.

Sir Herbert Williams

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend considered the possibility of introducing more normal methods of administration in Government Departments so that about half their present staffs can run them?

54. Sir Percy Hurd

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what effect has been given to the recommendations of the Kennet Committee for the combing out of men and women from the Departments for war service?

Captain Crookshank

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question of 9th September. Instructions have been issued to Departments to apply for the retention of the minimum numbers of essential staff on the lines indicated in the Interim Report of Lord Kennet's Committee, and the operative date for the. new ages of reservation will be 15th December. I should like the opportunity of adding that Lord Kennet and his colleagues have consented to act as the Advisory Committee on the deferment of the calling up of civil servants. His Majesty's Government are most grateful to them for undertaking these further duties.

Sir P. Hurd

Did not my right hon. and gallant Friend inform the House of Commons last summer that the Government regarded these matters as matters of urgency, and does he not think that that idea of urgency might be used in carrying out the recommendations of the Kennet Committee?

Captain Crookshank

It was because of the urgency of the matter that the Kennet Committee was set up and made recommendations, which we have accepted and are carrying out.