§ Mr. AMMONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the number of ex-first-class clerks in the Public Trustee Office who have remained provisionally assimilated to the lower clerical grade; whether these clerks are still performing-supervisory duties or work of a higher nature not proper to the lower clerical grade; whether they will receive any allowances for acting in a higher capacity; and whether the regrading of the work being performed in the Public Trustee Office is being investigated?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe total number of ex-first-class women clerks in the Public Trustee Office remaining assimilated to the lower clerical grade is 31. A small number of these are under consideration for promotion. The duties of the remainder are not superior to those appropriately assignable to the clerical class. The grading of the work of the Public Trustee Office is continually under review with a view to increased efficiency.
Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the reorganisation of the Public Trustee Office has yet been completed and, if so, what steps have been taken during regrading to put into operation Clause 2 of the Resolution of the House on 5th August, 1921, as to equality of opportunity for women; what branches of the Public Trustee Office previously closed to women have now been opened to them; whether women have now been excluded from any branch in which they were employed on 5th August, 1921; and what steps have been taken to ensure that women have an opportunity of training for the higher posts in the Department irrespective of those posts which involve solely supervision of staff?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe Reorganisation Report of the National Whitley Council has been applied to the Public Trustee Office, and the principle referred to in the question has been adopted as part of the Reorganisation 53W Scheme. No branch is closed to women who have the necessary qualifications to perform the duties required. Women of proved capacity are being given an opportunity of qualifying for appointment to higher posts and will receive equal consideration with male officers in the event of vacancies occurring.