§ Mr. Barnes,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd December, 1946; Volume 421, c. 20], supplied the following statement:
The number and grades of conciliation staffs of the four main-line railway companies who, at 16th November, 1946, had resigned from their employment since the withdrawal of the Essential Work Order, excluding retirements under age rule, or deaths, are as follow:
Grade. Appointed. Unappointed. Footplate Staff and Cleaners 2,803 299 Loco shed Staff 703 471 Signalmen 258 116 Guards 264 155 Shunters 419 311 Goods Cartage 137 918 Goods Handling 530 2,722 Permanent Way 748 1,880 Signal and Telegraph 101 132 Other Conciliation Graces 1,378 2,882 7,341 9,886 The distinction between "Appointed" and "Unappointed" staff is slight as during the war additional staff were recruited on an "Unappointed "basis but are now, subject to satisfactory medical examination, being given permanent appointments.