§ Major C. Pooleasked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he is taking to absorb public assistance officers in the machinery set up to operate National Insurance.
§ Mr. J. Griffiths:As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health stated on 15th November last in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Salford (Mr. Hardy), it is too early to make any detailed statement as to the future of the public assistance staffs. The questions which will arise for settlement on the transfer to the Government of the Poor Law functions on which these staffs are engaged, including the provision to be made for officers who become displaced as a result of that transfer, will not be overlooked.