§ Sir P. NEWSONasked the Home Secretary how many male and female officers of the certified industrial and reformatory schools have been dismissed in the present year; what is the percentage compared with the entire staff at the start of the period; what principle in respect to superannuation or grants is adopted with regard to the discharge, even for motives of economy, of officials who have seen many years' service; whether he is aware that the Departmental Committee of 1918–19 admitted that they had been underpaid for years; and whether he will do his 1703W best to ensure that at least some provision by pension or grant is made for these public servants now, in many cases, too old to find other employment and too indifferently remunerated in the past to be able to save for their old age?
§ Mr. SHORTTI cannot give the number of officers who have been actually dismissed, but the number affected by the closing of certain schools is about 150, and the number affected by the reductions of staff in the remaining schools is about 150 more. The staff of the schools amounted to about 1,800, so that when the reductions have taken effect the number of officers affected will represent a percentage of 16 per cent. I am aware that prior to 1919 some of the salaries paid were low, but they were raised in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee. On the question of provision being made for the displaced officers, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a question on the same subject yesterday by the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. E. Young). I may add to that answer that some of the officers concerned have, I understand, retired on superannuation allowances, and officers have obtained appointments in other schools, where they will retain their pension rights.