§ Mr. Kellyasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that in the Air Ministry outstations, out of a total clerical staff of approximately 2,500, nearly 1,500 are employed as temporary clerks on a flat weekly wage of 58s.; that they have served from one to four years in that capacity; whether this is in conformity with the normal practice of permanent work being performed only by established civil servants and for temporary clerks to be employed only for casual work of approximately 18 months duration; and will he take steps to alter this state of affairs?
§ Earl Winterton:Prior to 1st October, 1937, temporary clerks at Air Ministry outstations were considered for establishment on the basis of the Temporary Staffs Committee's Reports of 1932 and 1934. As a result of discussions with representatives of the staff concerned, an agreement has been reached which provides that at intervals of six months the temporary clerks at Air Ministry outstations who have rendered four years' aggregate Government service as temporary civilian clerks, including a minimum of two years' service as temporary civilian clerks under the Air Ministry shall be reviewed for establishment provided they satisfy the usual conditions as regards age, health and character. If ineligible for establishment on grounds of age or health, they will be considered for permanent unestablished employment. I see no reason to vary these arrangements at the present date.