§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Pensions what proportion of the staff employed at the regional headquarters, Nottingham, has been classified as competent and thereby entitled to preferential consideration in the matter of appointments in other regions to be offered to those whose services are being terminated on the transfer of work from Nottingham to Birmingham; what evidence of competence is required and by whom is it supplied; and whether the standard is influenced by the absence of openings in other regional or headquarters offices?
§ Major TRYONThe classification of the staff at Nottingham has not yet been 2589W completed, but there, is little doubt that all the competent staff now employed in the regional headquarters there who are willing to transfer can be given employment in Birmingham or elsewhere. Competence is decided on reports by a man's superior officers as to the manner in which he has performed the duties allocated to him. The standard is not influenced by any considerations such as those mentioned in the last part of the question which are matters outside the knowledge of the reporting officers.