§ 82. Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage those who can to remain at work beyond the age of 65 years, he will review the recent issue of redundancy notices to 60 clerical workers at Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Royal Army Ordnance Corps Records, Wigston Barracks.
§ Mr. HeadThere is no question of redundancy of staff in these offices. Out of a total of 54 staff employed who are over the age of 65, 22 have received notice of discharge as the result of a review carried out under the normal retirement policy. This policy takes account of the need to retain in employment, as long as possible, staff who are fully efficient; and I have no reason to think that there has been any deviation from this policy in the offices in question.
It must, however, be realised that I am bound to keep down numbers and costs and I cannot justify retention of staff whose employment is no longer fully economical.
Total number of Applications Total value involved Number Granted Value of assets released Number Refused Value of assets retained Under consideration Number Value £ £ £ £ 827 1,776,275 534 1,174,060 112 122,580 172 479,635