§ Mr. TOOLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that 21 ex-service men employed at His Majesty's Stationery Office, Northern Area Branch, Hollingwood, Manchester, are at present under notice of dismissal while women and several non-service men are being retained; and whether he will suspend the dismissal notices so that arrangements may be made for a more equitable reduction of the personnel engaged there?
Mr. GRAHAMIn consequence of a reduction of work at the Northern Area Branch of His Majesty's Stationery Office, notices have had to be served on several members of the staff. To determine which members of the staff should be given notice, two substitution committees were set up, in accordance with the recommendations of Lord Lytton's Committee. The selection of individuals for discharge is the result of the unanimous recommendations of these committees, both of which included a representative of the ex-service men in the branch. I regret that I am unable to re-open the conclusions of the committees.