§ Mr. FENBYasked the Minister of Health whether any ex-service temporary clerks have been dismissed from his Department while the clerical staff have been engaged on work necessitating overtime?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer is in the affirmative. A small number of officers of the clerical and writing assistant grades have had to be employed on overtime during the last few weeks in various headquarter branches and provincial offices, but the retention of temporary clerks would not, I regret to say, have obviated this recourse to overtime.
§ Mr. FENBYasked the Minister of Health whether the complement of staff required by his Department has yet been settled; and, if not, why he has issued notices terminating the employment of a large number of ex-service temporary clerks?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe complement of staff which will be required for the permanent needs of my Department has not yet been settled. I am, however, satisfied that, as the work under the Contributory Pensions Act approaches normality, a reduction in the number of424W staff at present employed can properly be made pending the settlement of a permanent establishment.