§ Sir A. BUTTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was intended that the nine quasi-permanent ex-soldier clerks employed in the War Office, who passed a Civil Service qualifying examination for admittance to the pensionable establishment on the 27th September, 1923, should be compulsorily classified for pay in the lowest grade, namely, Grade C, and remain in that grade six months before being eligible for promotion to Grade B; and whether it is within his knowledge that these clerks are all men with between eight and nine years' continuous service in the War Office, are between the ages of 45 and 55 years, and that in some cases, although at present performing the duties equivalent to a Grade A or Grade B appointment, are being paid at Grade C rates, thus losing £1 10s. a week by becoming established?
§ Major ATTLEEI have been asked to reply. I am aware of the circumstances referred to, which, however, are not peculiar, as appears to be suggested, to nine particular clerks. There has been a complete reorganisation of this establishment, and the rule is that ex-soldier clerks entering the pensionable establishment shall do so in Grade C. No special reason existed for modifying the rule in these particular cases. I would further point out that these men, on entering Grade C, start at the rate of pay to which they had been entitled in their previous substantive rank, and also that Grade C men are eligible for promotion to Grade B after640W six months' probation. The men now in question will become thus eligible in a few weeks.