§ Mr. FENBYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether Mr. Hattersley, who joined the Office of Works in 1914 as a non-service temporary clerk, is retained on grounds of indispensability; and whether, as he is now performing work previously done by an ex-service temporary clerk recently discharged, he will state the grounds on which he is so retained?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONActing under the discretionary powers recognised in the Reports of the Lytton Committee, the First Commissioner decided to retain Mr. Hattersley on grounds of hardship 719W and also because of his ability as a clerk. An ex-service man was employed for about a month before the termination of his employment as one of a staff of three engaged on a section of the work on which Mr. Hattersley was also engaged for a few days only, but the latter is now, and was previously, employed on work of a higher nature.