§ Mr. NAYLORasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the increase of new work arising out of the administration of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act is causing considerable overtime to be worked by members of his permanent staff; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of re-engaging fully-trained temporary assistants from among those previously in the employ of the Ministry but now on State unemployment benefit?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir; my right hon. Friend is aware of and regrets the fact that his Department is at present working under conditions of such pressure that considerable overtime is now necessary. He hopes, however, that this will shortly terminate. My right hon. Friend has already engaged 192 temporary ex-service clerks whose services have been terminated in other Departments, and further temporary additions to the staff are now being made. But the hon. Member will, I am sure, realise that the services of the existing trained and permanent staff must be utilised to the fullest possible extent, and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the necessity for calling upon the permanent staff to work overtime during this period of pressure could not be avoided by the employment of further temporary staff.