Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that about 700 women clerks at present employed in the taxes branch of the Board of Inland Revenue have been warned that their appointments will cease as from the 31st March next; and if, in view of the prevalence of unemployment, especially in regard to clerical posts, the Government will continue the suspension of the entrance examination for the corresponding grades of the Civil Service in order that these women and civil servants in other Departments who are under similar notice of dismissal may, on approved service, be absorbed into other Departments as vacancies arise?
Mr. GRAHAMThe number of women clerks whose temporary employment it is necessary to discontinue is substantially less than the figure cited. These women have in general had special opportunities of entering the permanent service of the State by examinations designed to meet the position of the temporary staff. I regret that I am unable to make any statement as to future recruitment of the permanent Civil Service pending the report of Lord Southborough's Committee on the employment of ex-service men.