§ 7. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Transport how many officers of all classes 734 at present employed by the railway com panles are above the normal retiring age; and what proportion they bear to the total number of officials employed.
§ Mr. BarnesThe number of staff in receipt of salaries of £500 per annum, excluding war advance, and over, employed by the main line railways or on the rail ways of the London Passenger Transport Board is 3,139 and of these 33 or approximately one per cent, are above the age of 65 years.
§ Mr. SparksWhile I appreciate the valuable services rendered by officers and staff above the retiring age during the war, may I ask the" Minister whether, in view of the new and urgent problems in the postwar years, he does not think that the railway management should contain a larger proportion of younger, more active and virile minds if these postwar problems are to be solved?
§ Mr. BarnesThat may be so, but at the moment I think anybody who desires to remain in the service can be usefully employed.