§ Mr. Lowasked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that a number of established clerical assistants 49W working in her Department in Blackpool have been forced to leave as a result of that Department's removal to Newcastle and are prevented from qualifying for a gratuity which they had previously earned by temporary service because they were successful in the competitive examination for establishment in 1948; and what action she proposes to take to remedy this hardship.
Mr. B. TaylorSome 28 clerical assistants finally felt unable to transfer to Newcastle. They had accepted establishment with the consequential conditions of service. These include liability to transfer of station. There is no power, under the Superannuation Acts, to grant a gratuity in respect of their prior temporary employment.