§ Mr. SNELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the Royal Ordnance factories, Woolwich, there are approximately 30 established clerical employés who have not been assimilated to new posts under the clerical reorganisation scheme, although approximately 25 of the graded posts allocated to this establishment have not been filled; and will he take the necessary action to secure that these established men are assimilated forthwith up to the limit of existing vacancies?
§ Captain KINGThere are 21 and not 30 established clerks at the Ordnance factories who have not been assimilated to the new clerical gradings. The majority of these are not considered suitable at present for such assimilation. With regard to the second part of the question, the number of pensionable posts allocated to the Ordnance factories was a maximum, the actual numbers to be filled immediately being subject to the review which was in progress at the time. The maximum number of posts is not required at present.
§ Mr. SNELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in connection with the introduction of a clerical regrading scheme in the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich, approximately 10 per cent. of the established clerical employés have not been assimilated to the new grades on the grounds of alleged unfitness to perform the duties; that, in all other cases of clerical reorganisation in the Government service, the percentage of rejects has not exceeded 1 per cent.; whether he will order a full inquiry into the cause of this high percentage of rejects in the case of the Ordnance factories; and whether he will state, in view of the lengthy service of all the men concerned, the principles which have been applied in the assessing of the men's individual fitness?
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§ Captain KINGApproximately 10 per cent. of the established clerical employés have not been selected for absorption into the new pensionable gradings at the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich. The principle in assessing a man's fitness for absorption into the new pensionable gradings is that he must be competent to perform the highest duties of the grade. The men who have not been absorbed, with the possible exception of a few cases still under consideration, do not comply with this test at present, but they are not necessarily excluded permanently; their capabilities will be periodically reviewed. In these circumstances I am unable to agree that the general principle should be departed from, or that the matter calls for special inquiry.