§ Mr. P. OLIVERasked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that practically all the ex-service Grade 3 clerks employed at certain regional head-quarters have received notice terminating their employment, he will issue instructions for the suspension of such notices pending the Report of the Southborough Committee?
§ Mr. F. O. ROBERTSThe hon. Member would appear to have been misinformed. The number of ex-service temporary clerks now under notice of discharge in consequence of redundancy from regional offices represents only 9.6 per cent. of the number of such officers. With regard to the suggestion that the notices of discharge should be suspended, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Chertsey on the 6th instant, and to my reply of the 13th instant to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Hulme Division of Manchester. I regret that I should not be justified in retaining staff for whom there was not work.