§ Mr. J. BUTLERasked the Minister of Pensions whether it his intention to dismiss a large number of temporary women clerks from the Pensions Issue Office; and, if so, what is to be the guiding factor in choosing clerks for dismissal?
§ Captain CRAIGMy right hon. Friend anticipates that it will be necessary to terminate the appointments of a considerable number of temporary women clerks in the Pension Issue Office in the2182W course of the current year. The primary consideration in selecting officers for discharge must be comparative efficiency, but, subject to this, my right hon. Friend is anxious that the demobilisation should be carried out on lines which commend themselves to the staff affected. Officials of the Department have been in consultation with the representatives of the Staff Associations on a plan for giving weight to considerations of hardship in determining the order of discharge among those whose efficiency category makes them liable to demobilisation, and I am happy to say that we are in a position to proceed on an agreed basis.