§ 36 and 37. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many of those declared redundant in the Ordnance Survey have given at least 10 years' service to the Department;
(2) how many cartographic surveyors and draughtsmen are being made redundant in 1958; and how many new staff are being taken on in Ordnance Survey.
§ Mr. GodberIt is expected that about 80 temporary cartographic surveyors and draughtsmen, 50 of whom have ten years service or more, will be discharged as redundant by the Ordnance Survey during 1958. Each one of these has had at least one chance of becoming established. About 150 new staff who have been accepted by the Civil Service Commission as suitable for established posts will be offered appointment. My right hon. Friend regards it as important that recruitment should continue in order to maintain as far as possible an even age distribution throughout this class in the Department.
§ Dr. KingIs not the Joint Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is agreed by his own Department that these men, many of them ex-Service men, have given faithful and loyal service to the Department—in the case of one of them, for 20 years? Does he not realise that his action in taking on new staff at a time when he is dispensing with old and faithful servants is deplorable? Will he reconsider the whole matter?
§ Mr. GodberThis is a very difficult matter. My right hon. Friend has personally seen a deputation and has heard all the views put forward. However, we have to try to keep a proper distribution between age groups, and, of course, established staffs have certain rights of precedence in these matters.