§ 5. Sir William Darlingasked the Minister of National Insurance on what principle redundancy notices have been served on disabled ex-Service men employed as temporary clerks in the Ministry of National Insurance in Edinburgh; and what consideration is given to the claims of such ex-Service men in view of their difficulty in obtaining suitable employment in Edinburgh and district.
§ Mr. SteeleThe preliminary warnings of probable redundancy have been issued on the basis of agreements reached on the National Whitley Council. These provide that special consideration shall be given to severely disabled persons who have performed six months' satisfactory service.
§ Sir W. DarlingWhat I am anxious to know on behalf of my constituents is: On what principle does the Ministry act in discharging disabled ex-Service men, whose chances of employment are extremely difficult, in preference to others?
§ Mr. SteeleWe act upon the agreement which has been negotiated at a national level.
§ Sir W. DarlingAm I to understand that the disabled ex-Service men have made an agreement whereby they may be rendered redundant in preference to others who are not so disabled?
§ Mr. SteeleThe agreement made has been made with all the staff.
Lieut.-Commander Clark HutchisonDoes the Parliamentary Secretary not agree it is high time that that agreement 179 was revised, owing to the fact that all the ex-Service men's organisations were not taken into consultation?
§ Mr. SteeleAs I informed the hon. and gallant Gentleman last week, there is machinery for any alteration which may be desired, namely, through the Whitley Council.