§ Mr. GATESasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now prepared to have withdrawn the notices to the 40 ex-service temporary civil servants in the Scottish Board of Health?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe notices that have been issued to the ex-service temporary clerks in question merely convey a warning that their services may require to be dispensed with. It has not yet been necessary to put into operation any final notices of discharge, but, having in view the uncertainty as to the date or extent of the anticipated diminution in the volume of work in connection with the introduction of the contributory pensions scheme, I regret that I cannot see my way to withdraw the warning notices already issued.