§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that clerks attached to the National Insurance Commission are working up to twenty-five hours' overtime per week, and that clerks serving in other Departments of the public service are regularly working overtime at the National Insurance Commission after performing a full day's duties in their own Departments; and if he will take steps to remedy this state of things?
§ Mr. MASTERMANDuring the pressure incidental to bringing into operation the National Insurance Act longer hours have been and are being worked at the Insurance Commission than will be necessary under normal conditions. The average of the hours of overtime, however, does not approach that mentioned by my hon. Friend, and the employment on overtime of volunteers from other public Departments, who are employed by their own desire—and are, of course, paid at overtime rates—has helped to relieve the pressure on the Commission's permanent establishment, which must necessarily be fixed by reference to the permanent requirements of the Department.