§ 66. Brigadier Lowasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Government Departments in Blackpool are serving members of their clerical staff with notices terminating their employment on the grounds that they are inefficient, whereas the real reason is that they are redundant; and if he will issue an order that this unjust stigmatisation ceases forthwith.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThe National Whitley Agreement governing discharge of redundant clerks lays it down that those below standard in efficiency shall be discharged first. This rule governs the first selection of staff for discharge, but notices specify that discharge is on grounds of redundancy. One Department in Blackpool which has redundant staff is proceeding accordingly. But another Department, where there is no redundancy, has notified certain members of the staff that they are regarded as inefficient and, subject to appeal, may be discharged on that ground.