§ Viscount EDNAMasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many non-service men, and how many women, are employed in the Foreign Office, including the Passport Department, in a temporary capacity; and what steps he is taking to secure that the posts held by such personnel shall be filled by ex-service men who have been discharged from Govern- 58W ment Departments and are now awaiting re-allocation?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe numbers are as follow:
Of these, two women are ex-service, and 10 men and 4 women are already under notice and will leave by March 31. Fifty-seven women are occupying posts which will eventually be filled by permanent women civil servants as soon as they are available and a further 26 are shorthand-typists and typists whose work is not regarded as suitable for men. Proposals have been made for the substitution of ex-service men for a proportion of the remaining 61 women, but owing to the increased cost which would be involved, the Treasury have decided that this is impracticable at the present time. The same consideration applies to 29 non-service men and boys of junior grades. Of the remaining 40 men, approximately half are employed in responsible positions of the duties of which they have expert knowledge; and substitution, if carried further, would seriously impair the efficiency of the Department. The possibility of substitution in the case of the remainder is under consideration. The filling of all vacancies suitable for ex-service men is effected through the Joint Substitution Board, who proceed in this matter on the lines suggested in the last part of the question.
Non-service Men. Women. Foreign Office … 34 104 Passport Office … 43 46