§ Mr. AMMONasked the Minister of Labour why there are different rates of pay and incremental advance for temporary reimbursed clerks employed at branch offices of the Ministry of Labour from those of temporary clerks employed at the regular Exchanges, and why sick and annual leave privileges are accorded to temporary clerks in Employment Exchanges and not to those in branch offices; why temporary clerks of three or more years' service employed at branch offices are in a worse position financially and in every other condition of service than the temporary clerks of one year's service in the regular Exchanges; and whether clerks in both offices sign a departmental pay sheet and departmental attendance register?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDManagers of branch employment offices are appointed on a part-time basis and are responsible for the engagement of such clerical assistance as they require. Where the work at a branch office requires the full-time services of a clerk the branch manager may make an arrangement whereby the Ministry advances to him the money required to pay the clerk's wages, but in such a case, as in all other cases of clerks employed by branch managers, the clerk remains in all respects the private employé of the branch manager. The rates of pay and1876W the leave and other privileges attaching to temporary clerical appointments in the Ministry are therefore not applicable to these reimbursed clerks. All stationery and forms required at the branch office are supplied by the Ministry, and these include certain forms for recording attendance of and payments to clerks. The supply is made in the interests of uniformity and accounting procedure and does not affect the conditions of employment of the clerk.