HC Deb 01 December 1932 vol 272 cc993-5W
Mr. HICKS

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department is yet in the position to reply to representations made by the Civil Service Clerical Association on 17th October, regarding the inadequacy of the staffing arrangements in his Department consequent upon an unemployment figure of 4 per cent. being taken as a basis?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The Department have at the present under examination the clerical complement of the Claims and Record Office, Kew, in respect of which the Civil Service Clerical Association made oral representations. The Department are waiting for written representations which it was agreed by the Association's representatives on 17th October last would be sent in due course.

Mr. CAPE

asked the Minister of Labour in which sub-departments and divisions of his Department the numbers and gradings of staffs employed differ from the numbers and gradings provided for in the Estimates of his Department for 1932–33; and if he will furnish detailed information regarding the differences?

Sir H. BETTERTON

To give a detailed statement of all the changes that necessarily occur during the year in so large a staff as that of the Ministry of Labour would involve labour not commensurate with any result that could be obtained. If, however, the hon. Member has any particular department or branch in mind and will let me know, I shall be glad to supply the figures.

Mr. CAPE

asked the Minister of Labour the number of writing assistants holding active appointments as clerical officers and the number of S-class clerks holding posts above Grade 3 in his Department; and whether, in view of this recognition of their ability to perform superior duties, he will appoint them substantively to the clerical grade and thus avoid the expense of making new appointments to this Grade?

Sir H. BETTERTON

Twenty-two writing assistants are holding acting appointments as clerical officers. Among the "P" Class and temporary clerks with the prescribed period of service qualifying them for appointment to the "S" Class, there are 1,286 male officers in all offices of the Ministry holding rank above Grade III. The appointment of the writing assistants to the clerical class is under active consideration. The clerks appointed to the "S" Class will, in accordance with the Report of the Temporary Staffs Committee, 1932, be eligible for promotion to the clerical grade. I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 29th November to the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke).

Mr. SPENCER

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of vacancies in the employment clerk grade which have been filled during the past 12 months by promotion of ex-service temporary clerks;

(2) Whether he proposes to fill the vacancies at present existing in the employment clerk grade by promoting serving temporary clerks wherever possible?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on the same points given to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on Monday, 28th November.

Mr. SPENCER

asked the Minister of Labour what is the average length of service of the temporary clerks in his Department?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The information asked for is not available. It could only be obtained by special inquiry into thousands of individual records, a heavy task which I do not feel I should be justified in undertaking.