§ Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many non-service men and how many women are employed in the Overseas Trade Department in a temporary capacity; and what steps he is taking to secure that the posts held by such personnel shall be filled by ex-service men who have been discharged from Government Departments and are now awaiting re-allocation?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEForty-three non-service men, of whom 15 are under notice of discharge, and 106 women, of whom 10 are under notice, are employed in the Department of Overseas Trade in a temporary capacity. Of the 106 women, 69 are typing staff and seven are girl messengers; the remaining 30 are engaged on administrative and clerical duties. Excluding the staff of 69 engaged on typing work, which it is understood is regarded by the Lytton Committee as peculiarly appropriate to women, 63 per cent. of the present temporary staff of the Department of Overseas Trade are ex-service men. During the past six months the temporary staff of the Department has been reduced by 109. Of the total number discharged, 43 were women and 21 non-ex-service men. The possibility of substituting ex-service men for non-service personnel has been constantly under review, and I have, in accordance with my promise in this House, given special attention to the observance of the principles contained in the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee.