§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received communications from branches of the British Legion protesting against men being retained in the service of the Pensions Ministry who are in receipt of civil pensions, and whose retention prevents ex-service men from being appointed to these positions; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
Mr. ROBERTSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. There is only one non service officer employed in the Ministry in receipt of a civil pension and that officer is filling a professional post.
§ Captain RAMAGEasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that 39 ex-service temporary civil servants employed by the Ministry at Newcastle-upon-Tyne have received notice that their services will not be required after the 31st March next; and if he will agree to suspend these notices until the whole question of the absorption of temporary ex-service civil servants into the Civil Service has been examined and settled?
Mr. ROBERTSThere are at Newcastle 35 ex-service temporary clerks under notice of discharge which expires on the 31st March. The number of discharges has been reduced to a minimum consistent with economy, but the falling off in the volume of work makes it, I regret to say, impracticable to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.