Unestablished Civil Servants

HC Deb 19 June 1956 vol 554 cc1220-1

22. Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many civil servants at the most recent convenient date had served for five years without being established.

Mr. H. Brooke

I estimate that on 31st December, 1955, there were about 45,000 whole-time non-industrial unestablished civil servants with five years' service or more.

Mr. Hale

Is not that an appalling number, and will not the right hon. Gentleman do something about it? However the Government treat Members of Parliament, they might treat civil servants with some consideration and decency, and might try to establish a reputation as decent employers in that connection?

Mr. Brooke

I cannot accept those allegations. Establishment in the Civil Service is a reward for merit, and we cannot compel temporary civil servants to apply for establishment. There is a competition open now for 30,000 clerical officer posts, but out of 17,000 people who are eligible only 5,500 have applied to go in for it.