§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Health what is the number of men and women, respectively, seconded from other Departments to assist with the work arising from the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; of what rank are the officers who have been loaned; whether they are working overtime; and, if so, whether they will receive overtime pay?
§ Mr. N. CHAMBERLAIN38 men have been seconded from other Departments, all belonging to the Junior Executive and ex-Second Division rank. No women have been seconded. This grade is not entitled to overtime pay, but, as these officers are being required to work hours considerably in excess of the normal day, they will receive gratuities in respect of the excessive hours worked.
§ Sir R. BARNETTasked the Minister of Health what is the total number of hours overtime now being worked by the permanent staff of his Department in connection with the administration of the new pensions scheme, and the aggregate cost of such overtime per week?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe amount of overtime worked in my Department in connection with the administration of the Pensions Act varies from week to week according to the exigencies of the work. For the last completed month the total number of such hours worked by the permanent staff entitled to overtime payment was 6,305, at an average weekly cost of £188.
§ Sir R. BARNETTasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the extra pressure upon his Department caused by the pensions scheme, he will consider the desirability of utilising the services of 1396W ex-temporary women clerks who have been discharged on grounds of redundancy?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wandsworth (Sir H. Jackson) on the 23rd instant.