§ Mr. BROADasked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of officials of the rank of principal clerk and over in the Ministry of Pensions on 1st November, 1921, 1st November, 1923, 1st November, 1924, and 1st November, 1925; how many of these were permanent staff and how many on a temporary engagement; what was the number of employés in the Ministry of other grades on the same dates; how many were women; and how many of each sex held permanent appointments?
§ Major TRYONThe following is the answer:
motion in connection with these vacancies at an early date?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONThe proportion of promotions in the Ministry of writing assistants to the clerical class is approximately 10 per cent., and my right hon. Friend is not aware that this compares unfavourably with the percentage in other Departments. If the clerical vacancies, to which my hon. Friend refers in the latter part of the question, are the clerical posts that are filled by temporary ex-service men, the adoption of 2551W the proposal suggested would entail the discharge of ex-service men, and this my right hon. Friend is not prepared to consider at present.
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable discontent exists amongst the writing assistants employed in his Department owing to the undergrading of certain of the work now allocated to this class; and whether he will give sympathetic consideration to the claims of the staff for the proper grading of such duties?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONMy right hon. Friend is not aware that considerable discontent exists, but any claims made by the staff of the Department, either in this or any other connection, through the channels of the Departmental Whitley Council will certainly receive sympathetic consideration.
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst the staff with the attitude of his establishment branch towards the Whitley system and the associations representing the staff; and whether he will endeavour to secure the full application of the Whitley spirit within his Department?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONThe Minister is not aware of any such dissatisfaction as is suggested in my hon. Friend's question. On the contrary, the relations between the official and the staff sides on the Departmental Whitley Council have always been exceptionally harmonious, and both sides have endeavoured with considerable success to apply the Whitley spirit to the affairs of the Department.