§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the modification, if any, in the administration of his Department; and, if so, whether such modification will assist in retaining any of the men now under notice?
Mr. MUIRMy right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a definite statement in regard to the various modifications of war pensions administration to which he is giving consideration, but a temporary increase of work consequent upon the introduction of revised procedure in connection with the review of pre-War dependence pensions has made it necessary to extend or cancel a number of the notices of discharge given to ex-service men. This increase is of a2168W temporary character and will not permit of the retention of the men in question for more than a limited period.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of ex-service men under notice of dismissal in his Department; whether any arrangements have been made to prevent such dismissals; whether he had considered the proposals to bring the working hours of his Department down to 42 as in numbers of other Departments; whether offers of alternative employment have been made; and, if so, the number to whom such offers have been made?
Mr. MUIRThere are at present 193 ex-service men employed in various centres, mainly provincial, who are under notice of discharge expiring, for the greater part, at the end of this month; 109 of the men have been recommended for transfer, and I hope at an early date to be in a position to state to what extent alternative employment can be offered to them. The question of working hours referred to by the hon. Member is being considered.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Pensions if alternative employment offered to any man in his Department now under notice of dismissal will involve general removal expenses and railway fares; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that the men concerned are in receipt of wages in the majority of cases under £3 per week, steps will be taken with the Treasury to secure that such expenses shall be borne by the State?
Mr. MUIRMy right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to undertake to pay the removal expenses of those redundant members of the staff who may be offered transfer as an alternative to discharge. The general Civil Service rule dealing with this question was explained by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle West (Captain Ramage) on the 26th ultimo.