§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the statement issued on behalf of the British Legion to the effect that 15,000 women are employed by him who could be substituted by ex-service men; whether he had previously supplied to the British Legion, through the Joint Substitution Board, an official statement showing that exactly 5,169 non-service women were employed on temporary clerical work in his Department on 1st January and that 1,000 of these would be dismissed by 31st March; and has he any statement to make on the subject?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy attention had not been previously drawn to the statement mentioned, and I am glad to have this opportunity of contradicting it. The figures quoted in the latter part of the question are correct.
§ Mr. ERSKINEasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class; how many passed, qualified, or failed; what number of those who failed applied to appear before the Investigating Board, under paragraphs 36 to 39 of the Lytton Committee's Third Interim Report; and how many were recommended?
§ Major TRYON2,800 ex-service men in the temporary employ of the Ministry competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class. 214 passed, 315 qualified, and of the 2,271 who failed, 1,430 applied to appear before the Investigating Board. 125 of these applications have been recommended to the Board.