§ 13. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the net economy resulting from the proposed dismissal in 1958 from the Ordnance Survey Office of 80 cartographic surveyors and draughtsmen.
§ Mr. GodberThe discharge of the temporary surveyors and draughtsmen by the Ordnance Survey in the year 1958 will result in a net saving of salaries of £25,000 in the year 1958–9 and a similar saving for several subsequent years.
§ Dr. KingIf that figure does not include the gratuity which is to be paid, is the hon. Gentleman aware that he will save nothing in the first year, because the gratuity is £30,000? Is he further aware that the figure he gave last week of £120,000 a year which he proposes to save shows that he is achieving his major economy quite apart from the dismissal of these people? Will he not therefore think again before dismissing these eighty loyal and faithful servants?
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend considered this matter most sympathetically and he met representatives. We shall have an opportunity of discussing this matter, I think, on the Adjournment. I do not think there is anything I can usefully add to what I have told the hon. Member, except that had these dismissals not taken place there would have been a substantial excess over and above this figure. This 12 is a net reduction, but without these dismissals there would have been a considerable figure over and above.