§ 8. Mr. Vaughan-Morganasked the Minister of Supply for what reason Mr. Hugh H. Baker employed in the contracts branch of his Department has been dismissed.
§ Mr. SandysMr. Baker, who is a temporary civil servant, has been retired on reaching the age of 65, as part of the staff reductions at the Ministry of Supply.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganWill my right hon. Friend say how he reconciles that policy with the appeal by the Prime Minister to employers to retain older men 5 employment? Is he aware that this officer has already accepted demotion twice in order to retain employment?
§ Mr. SandysThe retirement at the age of 65 of a number of civil servants is part of the scheme of staff reductions which has been worked out in agreement with the stall side of the Whitley Council of the Ministry. We consider that it is right and desirable to reduce the number of civil servants, and, much as I appreciate the hardship in certain cases, if we are to reduce numbers, we cannot at the same time keep everybody on.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganWhat is the use of dismissing a man of 65 who then draws his pension and is unemployable, and retaining younger people who could be employed in other capacities?
§ Mr. SandysI understand that the gentleman in question has good prospects of getting another job.
§ Mr. Vaughan-Morganindicated dissent.