§ Sir A. HOLBROOKthe Minister of Pensions whether the pledge given orally by a former Minister of Pensions to a deputation of women that women would be retained in the Pensions Issue Office in preference to officers and men who have fought in His Majesty's forces during the War was given on behalf of the Government or not: and whether the Government were consulted before any such pledge was given?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe pledge referred to must be regarded as having been given on behalf of the Government and, as such, was considered binding by the Lytton Committee. I am not in a. position to say whether the matter was formally considered by the Government at the time.
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, under paragraph 19 of the Third Report of the Lytton Committee, it was recommended that the percentage of non-service persons engaged in the Pensions Issue Office should be reduced by the 31st March, 1922, to not more than one-third of the total staff; that this recommendation was made under strong protest against the action of the former Minister in giving an oral undertaking to non-service personnel; that this recommendation is only binding up to the 31st March, 1922; and whether, in view of the fact that there are now over 1,400 ex-service men who have fought in His Majesty's forces during the War who have seen approved service in other Government Departments, and who have now become redundant seeking employment through the joint Substitution 1717W Board, he will take immediate action in the direction of a further substitution in the Pensions issue Office, with the object of providing employment for these men in a Department which it is specially desirable should be staffed entirely by those who fought in the War?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI fear that my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. The Lytton Committee recommended that the proportion of non-service persons in substitutable grades in the Ministry as a whole should be reduced to one-third by the 31st March, 1922, and this recommendation has actually been carried out. The allocation of the staff was left to the Minister to decide. It is understood that the number of efficient ex-service men, redundant in other Departments, who have had service overseas or are disabled, and can be recommended for re-allocation as clerks, is now small.