HC Deb 19 April 1928 vol 216 cc372-3W
Mr. E. BROWN

asked the Minister of Health whether ex-service temporary clerks could carry out the duties at present assigned to temporary women clerks employed in the central index committee?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bradford East (Mr. Fenby) on the 22nd ultimo, the work in question is of the class described by the Lytton Committee as specially appropriate to women and therefore non-substitutable by men.

Mr. BROWN

asked the Minister of Health why suitable officers on the establishment of his own Department cannot be placed on the work now being performed by officers on loan from other Departments, in order to relieve the anxiety of some of the ex-service temporary clerks who are liable to a week's notice terminating their employment in the Ministry of Health?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The volume of work in my Department requiring the services of trained and experienced officers does not at present permit of my returning the officers, all of the executive grade, whose services have been obtained on loan from other Departments.

Mr. BROWN

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the official side of the Departmental Whitley Council of the Ministry of Health, held on 30th April, 1927, gave the staff side an assurance that the employment of new entrants on a permanent basis would not cause the displacement of ex-service temporary clerks employed in his Department; and if this assurance has been carried out to date?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The statement in the first part of the question is not in accordance with the facts. The staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council at the meeting on 30th April, 1927, asked for an assurance that the entrance of a number of writing assistants would not, in the future, cause the discharge of ex-service temporary clerks. The official side, in reply, specifically stated that they were unable to give any assurance to this effect.

Mr. FENBY

asked the Minister of Health whether the temporary women staff employed in the central index committee are in receipt of weekly scales of pay applicable to temporary women clerks.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

With the exception of four, who are in receipt of special rates of pay, the temporary women staff employed on central index work are in receipt of weekly scales of pay applicable to temporary women clerks.