Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Minister of Health how many search officers are employed in the General Register Office, and of the total number how many are ex-service men; whether these search officers are entitled to consideration for promotion to the clerical class; and, if so, how many such promotions have been made since the class was instituted some 16 years ago?
§ Sir K. WoodThe number of search officers employed in the General Register Office is 69, of whom 17 are graded first class and 52 second class. There are in addition four temporary search-officers employed at the present time. All of the above are ex-service men. Promotions from the grade of search officer to that of clerical officer are exceptional, but four such promotions have been made since the class of search officer was instituted. In addition, one search officer w as promoted to be office keeper.